Energy Policy

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on  (a) wave generated electricity projects and  (b) coppicing generated electricity projects in each of the past four years; and how much he expects to spend in each of the next four years.

Malcolm Wicks: The research and development of emerging wave energy conversion technologies has been supported under the DTI's Technology programme since 1999. The following table gives the requested figures for each of the last four financial years.
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend (£) 
			 2002-03 748,335 
			 2003-04 2,104,141 
			 2004-05 334,651 
			 2005-06 281,348 
			 Total 3,468,475 
		
	
	The DTI's Marine Renewables Deployment Fund makes available £50 million to support the first pre-commercial grid-connected wave and tidal-stream demonstration projects. The allocation of those funds over the next four years is dependent upon the number and scale of projects that come forward.
	For Biomass, there are a number of ongoing projects supported under the bio-energy capital grants scheme (BCGS) jointly funded by DTI and the Big Lottery Fund. To date, no funds have been drawn down on coppice-fuelled projects. This is primarily due to the timing and development schedules of these projects. Future funding over the next four years will be dependent on the progress of those individual projects.
	DTI also funds a Research and Development programme, which has supported coppice-related projects. The spend on these projects is presented as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend (£000) 
			 2002-03 554 
			 2003-04 185 
			 2004-05 93 
			 2005-06 52 
			 2006-07 46 
			 2007-08 onwards 0 
		
	
	Electricity generation from renewable sources is also supported indirectly through the renewables obligation and by exemption from the Climate Change Levy. Electricity generation plant fired by a fuel supply of 90 per cent. or more (by calorific value) biodegradable material is eligible for the renewables obligation, regardless of the energy conversion technology used, with renewables obligation certificates (ROCs) issued for the renewable fraction. Co-firing of biomass, particularly energy crops, in fossil fuel power stations may also benefit from eligibility under the renewables obligation.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average damages recovered were by the 10 law firms with the greatest volume of claims for  (a) vibration white finger and  (b) chronic bronchitis and emphysema compensation.

Malcolm Wicks: The average damages recovered by the 10 claimants' representatives with the greatest volume of claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF), and for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are shown on the following tables:
	
		
			  VWF 
			  Claimants' representatives  Claims registered  Average damages paid (on claims settled by payment as at 30 November 2006) (£) 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 21,055 12,923 
			 Browell Smith and Co 16,467 9,411 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 11,628 8,792 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 11,536 9,661 
			 Raleys Solicitors 11,281 9,658 
			 Hugh James 10,637 9,485 
			 Graysons Solicitors 8,700 11,531 
			 Moss Solicitors 7,294 8,947 
			 Watson Burton LLP 5,934 12,244 
			 Ashton Morton Slack LLP 5,382 8,650 
		
	
	
		
			  COPD 
			  Claimants' representatives  Claims registered  Average damages paid (on claims settled by payment as at 30 November 2006) 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 80,917 2,498 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 57,896 9,931 
			 Hugh James 56,776 8,747 
			 Raleys Solicitors 48,700 7,173 
			 Browell Smith and Co 32,872 7,441 
			 Avalon Solicitors 32,323 1,954 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 25,751 7,646 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 16,688 3,356 
			 Barber and Co 14,093 2,541 
			 Watson Burton LLP 14,071 4,437

Internet Viruses

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses in Lancashire caused by internet viruses in each of the last three years.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 29 November 2006
	My Department does not collect statistics relating to individual PCS or computer systems. However, the 2006 Information Security Breaches Survey, which is the largest survey of its kind in the UK, forms a significant part of the Department's work with business to understand the nature and impact of information security breaches and to raise awareness of the value of effective information security management. This report contains a wide range of statistical information and is available from the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk). The 2006 report found that virtually all companies now have anti-virus software and that fewer companies had suffered security incidents related to viruses than in the previous two surveys. Although viruses remain a major concern, the nature of the threat is changing; the major virus disseminations that were prevalent until a few years ago and which caused widespread damage are now less important than the more targeted theft of confidential business information. My Department produces extensive online advice and other guidance material relating to information security best practice.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used  (a) rail services,  (b) the London Underground,  (c) tram or light railway services and  (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties.

Alistair Darling: Since taking office as Secretary of State, when on ministerial duty I have used rail services on:
	
		
			   Rail journey 
			 15 May Derby to London 
			 17 May London to Runcorn return 
			 25 May London to Durham 
			 2 June Luxembourg to Brussels 
			 11 July London to Whitstable return 
			 12 July London Marylebone to Banbury return 
			 13 July London to Oxenholme 
			 14 July Carlisle to Edinburgh 
			 12 September London to Brighton 
			 13 September Brighton to London 
			 04 October London to Southampton Parkway return 
			 16 October Edinburgh to York and Doncaster to London 
			 30 October Eurostar from Brussels to London Waterloo 
			 07 November Eurostar from Brussels to London Waterloo 
		
	
	I have used public transport wherever possible and practical to complete my journey taking account of security considerations.
	I have not used the London Underground, tram, light railway services or buses on ministerial business but do so on other occasions.
	All my ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in "Travel by Ministers".

Renewable Energy: Research

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has conducted on how existing energy sources can be made cleaner in the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The DTI's Carbon Abatement Technologies Programme formerly the Cleaner Fossil Fuels Programme has supported collaborative work covering Research and Development on Cleaner Coal Technologies since 1999. During this time the Department provided some £13 million to the programme and an additional £3.5 million for collaborative Cleaner Coal Technology projects with the USA.
	The Government have also made available, between 2002 and 2008 around £500 million of spending on emerging renewable and low carbon technologies in the form of capital grants and research and development. This includes £35 million for a Carbon Abatement Technologies Demonstration Programme.

Biofuels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional incentives he is planning to persuade more farmers to grow  (a) biofuels and  (b) other non-food crops.

Ian Pearson: The joint Defra and Department for Trade and Industry Strategy for non-food crops and uses provides an overarching package of measures and incentives. These are designed to promote the sustainable and competitive development of non-food crops in order to provide biofuels, biomass heat and electricity and industrial materials.
	The strategy recognises the opportunities non-food crops offer farmers and industry. It contains a number of actions aimed at developing supply chains, disseminating information and targeting research and development. These actions are delivered in part by the Government-funded National Non-Food Crops Centre. The centre plays a pivotal role in linking farmers with industry and provides advice and guidance on crop agronomics, contracts and procurement issues. The recently established Biomass Energy Centre also provides detailed information on all aspects of growing and supplying energy crops.
	A two year progress report on the strategy was published on 16 November 2006 and a copy can be found on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/pdf/nfc-progress-0611.pdf. The report contains recommendations for developing the strategy over the next three years.
	We intend to continue to provide support for energy crops in England under the new Rural Development Programme for England. Support for biomass supply chains will continue with a second round of the bio-energy infrastructure scheme.

Departmental Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and which have  (a) costs and  (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded.

Barry Gardiner: Defra continues to promote and encourage the exchange of personnel between the Department and a range of organisations. Defra currently has three secondees from ENCAMS an environmental charity—the following annex provides further detail.
	
		
			  Annex-PQ 0141 
			  Secondee  Costs  Salary 
			 Andrew Osborne Defra ENCAMS 
			 James Martin ENCAMS ENCAMS 
			 Robert Ingle Environment Agency Environment Agency 
		
	
	The status of all three secondees—Andrew Osborne, James Martin, Robert Ingle within Defra is that of secondee from ENCAMS. They all continue to be employees of ENCAMS for the duration of the secondment with all their present terms and conditions of employment being maintained. During the secondment, ENCAMS continue to be responsible for total remuneration package (including salary, pay-related benefits, holiday, sick pay and pension etc.).
	In respect of other costs for:
	 Andrew Osborne
	Defra reimburse any expenses incurred by Andrew in connection with work for Defra during the secondment.
	 James Martin
	All expenses incurred by James in connection with work for Defra during the secondment are met by ENCAMS.
	 Robert Ingle
	ENCAMS are responsible for all expenses incurred by Robert including travel and training expenses. ENCAMS will be supplied with a budget by the Environment Agency from which all the costs of this secondment are deducted.

Energy Efficiency

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many houses had insulation installed that meets the recommended standard in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) percentage of houses in the (i) public and (ii) private sector have insulation which meets the current recommended standards.

Ian Pearson: There is no official "recommended standard" for insulation in existing buildings (only new builds require certain minimum standards for insulation to be met via the Building Regulations, part L). However, general advice is to install all cost-effective insulation measures, which in most cases means cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Although it is not so cost-effective, double glazing would also normally be considered essential by modern standards (for new dwellings it is required by the Building Regulations) and it is a popular measure. The following table shows the estimated number of installations of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and double glazing in existing homes in each of the years 2000-05 (note that in addition about 180,000 new homes are built each year and these will also automatically incorporate these measures where relevant).
	
		
			  Insulation measures in existing homes in Great Britain 
			  Households (thousand) 
			   Cavity wall insulation  Cavity wall insulation (alternative source( 1) )  Loft insulation  Double glazing 
			 2000 211 149 415 2,002 
			 2001 226 218 440 2,030 
			 2002 201 212 258 1,928 
			 2003 171 213 289 1,765 
			 2004 205 248 303 1,731 
			 2005 240 342 280 1,340 
			 (1) The alternative figures are based on sales data from the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGC) and they refer to the UK rather than Great Britain.  Source: GfK Marketing Services Ltd. Home Audit 
		
	
	At the end of 2004, 16 per cent. of households (about 3.9 million) in Great Britain (and 16 per cent., or about 3.4 million in England) had already installed all the above mentioned measures where appropriate. About 3 million of these properties are in the private sector and 0.9 million in the public/social housing sector. This is equivalent to 16 per cent. of the stock in the private sector and 14 per cent. of the stock in the public/social sector being fully insulated. The detailed figures are shown in the following table (note that the percentages are rounded to whole numbers).
	
		
			   With full insulation  All households  Percentage 
			 All households (England) 3,389 21,370 16 
			 All households (GB) 3,895 24,825 16 
			 Owner occupied households (GB) 2,948 17,103 17 
			 Private rented households (GB) 93 1,590 6 
			 All private households (GB) 3,041 18,693 16 
			 Local authority households (GB) 351 3,575 10 
			 RSL households (GB) 506 2,556 20 
			 All public/social households (GB) 857 6,131 14 
			  Sources: 1. Domestic Energy Fact File (2006): Owner occupies, local authority, private rented and registered social landlord homes. BRE 2005. (http://www.projects.bre.co.uk/factfile/) 2. Domestic Energy Fact File (2007): England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Still in preparation—publication planned for mid-2007).

Garden Waste

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions exist on the burning of garden waste; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Smoke nuisance and emissions created as a result of bonfires are covered under several pieces of legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (ERA) and, on industrial or trade premises, the Clean Air Act 1993. However, most domestic bonfires are dealt with by local authorities under their statutory nuisance powers under the ERA.
	In addition to the statutory nuisance powers, section 33 of the ERA (as amended by the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006) provides that a person who keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health commits an offence of illegal waste disposal. A person who commits the offence "in relation to household waste from a domestic property within the curtilage of the dwelling" is liable on summary conviction to a fine and/or a prison sentence.
	We are currently considering further measures to address the nuisance caused by the burning of garden waste.

Pollution

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what central Government support is available to local authorities to help them reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.

Ian Pearson: Carbon Management, which is part of the Carbon Trust, looks strategically at how carbon impacts upon public sector organisations by identifying the risks and opportunities associated with climate change. There is a specialist tailored programme for local authorities.
	Salix, which is a not-for-profit company set up by the Carbon Trust in 2004, uses Government funding of around £20 million to set up ring-fenced recycled loan funds in public sector organisations. Funding from Salix is matched by each organisation to support investment in cost-effective, long-term energy saving projects such as insulation, heating and lighting. Salix continues to accelerate its activities. Its local authority programme has doubled from 20 to 45 authorities, with more in the pipeline.
	Local authorities can also apply for grants to install microgeneration technologies under the Department for Trade and Industry's Low Carbon Building Programme.

Radioactive Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received from Nirex on the transfer of responsibility for disposal of radioactive waste to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority since 25 October; and if he will place copies of those representations in the Library.

Ian Pearson: Ministers have received no direct representations from Nirex following the announcement of 25 October. We have been copied in, for information purposes, to some of the initial correspondence between United Kingdom Nirex Limited (Nirex) and Nirex CLG Limited (the Company Limited by Guarantee). The correspondence concerned the commercial, contractual and timing aspects of the transfer of Nirex ownership to the Nuclear Decommission Authority (NDA), through share sale. This was proposed in the statement given by the Secretary of State to the House on the 25 October.
	Consultation on the share sale continued from the date of that statement until its completion and approval by the Nirex board on 29 November. This was announced in a statement I gave to the House on 30 November 2006,  Official Report, column 114WS.
	The consultation resulted in agreement to:
	(i) a period of at least three months to discuss future organisational integration arrangements;
	(ii) set in place of a reconstituted Nirex board and a Transition Team consisting of both Nirex and NDA representatives to oversee these arrangements;
	It was also agreed that the Nirex chair would continue to chair the reconstituted board for this transitional period. An addendum in the sale and purchase agreement covered staff issues. In addition I have met and discussed the arrangements with Prospect union representatives. I have also met the Nirex chair and spoken to the chair of the NDA.

Airports: Security

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce hand-held equipment for quasi-static electrical analysis of liquids at UK airports.

Gillian Merron: Government scientists have been investigating a wide range of techniques for the analysis of liquids for the presence of explosives. Quasi-static electrical analysis is one potential technique but given currently available technologies, it is not a technique suitable for operational use.

Aviation Noise

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about aviation noise were made to each local authority in England in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: The Department does not hold this information.
	Operational noise complaints (as distinct from representations about policy) are properly a matter for individual airports, many of which regularly publish their own summary statistics of complaints or enquiries. Most complaints are directed to the airports or to the CAA; and some to NATS, to airport consultative committees or to local authorities.

Consultants

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the  (a) technical and financial contracts,  (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and  (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department since 1 April 2005; what the nature of the assignment for each consultant was; and what the value of work carried out by each consultant was.

Gillian Merron: Lists showing the technical and financial contracts awarded by the Department since 1 April 2005 for the central Department and its Executive Agencies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. These lists show the formally tendered contracts awarded for both specific assignments and the framework arrangements which the Department may place orders against on a 'call-off' basis. The lists show the nature of the work and a contract award value.
	However the central Department and its Agencies' accounting systems, which hold information about purchase orders raised, do not provide information in the format necessary to be able to separately identify the orders placed against 'call off' and framework contracts. Actual expenditure incurred against such contracts could therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Contractor Services

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which contractors based in  (a) EU member states and  (b) other states have provided services to (i) his Department and (ii) each executive agency of his Department since 31 August 2005; and what the (A) nature and (B) cost of the work was in each case.

Gillian Merron: Providing details of the nature and cost of contracts and orders placed on contractors based in all EU member states (including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and other states would entail the analysis of all purchase orders placed by the Department since 31 August 2005. This could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	However the smaller sub-set of information containing details of contracts and orders placed with other EU member states (excluding the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and non-EU states can be provided and lists containing the information have been placed in the libraries of the House.

Departmental Electricity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the electricity used by his Department was generated from  (a) renewable sources and  (b) on-site microgeneration facilities in the last period for which figures are available.

Gillian Merron: Information on the renewable and on-site micro-generated electricity used by the Department will shortly be published by the Sustainable Development Commission.

Departmental Staff

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) marketing officers,  (b) communications officers and  (c) press officers are employed in his Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for his Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available.

Gillian Merron: The full time equivalent staff numbers engaged on communication activities, for which figures are readily available, in 2005-06 is as follows:
	
		
			   DfT Central  DfT Agencies 
			 Marketing and Publicity 16 17.8 
			 Press officers 14.2 25 
		
	
	It is not possible to break down communication expenditure by types of communication staff (or special advisers). The GICS has been replaced by the GCN (Government Communication Network) However, Departmental external expenditure on marketing and publicity and press office activities for 2005-06 is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   DfT Central  DfT Agencies 
			 Marketing and Publicity 20.5 15.4 
			 Press Office 0.76 n/a 
		
	
	Marketing costs include campaign advertising and wider publicity. Over 80 per cent. of DfT Central's expenditure was on the THINK! road safety campaign. Two thirds of DfT Agency expenditure was by the DVLA in support of enforcement campaigns and to inform the public of changes in legislation.
	DfT Central press office costs include media monitoring, use of Central Office of Information's Government News Network and all other direct external costs attributed to press office operations.
	Press office activities in most agencies are not carried out by staff or units solely dedicated to this purpose. Full records of attributable costs are therefore not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Railways: Fares

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent increase in rail fares by train operators; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: Regulated fares, those most used by commuters plus long distance saver return fares are limited to an average increase of 1 per cent. more than inflation. The South Eastern franchise fares regulation is set at inflation +3 per cent. Other fares are unregulated and may be set at the operators' own commercial discretion. Information on unregulated fares is not collated by the Department for Transport.

Cathedrals

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding her Department gave to cathedrals in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: English Heritage is a sponsored body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It operates the 'Grants for Cathedrals' programme. The amounts made available under this scheme in each year since 1997 are in the table.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1997-98 2.5 
			 1998-99 2.9 
			 1999-2000 2.9 
			 2000-01 2.5 
			 2001-02 1.9 
			 2002-03 2.0 
			 2003-04 2.0 
			 2004-05 1.0 
			 2005-06 1.0 
			 2006-07 1.0 
		
	
	The Listed Places of Worship scheme returns as a grant the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings in use for worship. Cathedrals are able to benefit to the extent to which they cannot reclaim VAT due to it being attributable to non business or exempt activity. The scheme started in 2001. Figures are not available for the totals disbursed to Cathedrals under the scheme.

Procurement Projects

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the 20 largest procurement projects initiated by her Department since May 1997 have been; what the  (a) original budget,  (b) cost to date and  (c) consultancy fees have been; and what the final cost was of each project which has been completed.

David Lammy: The list of 20 largest procurement projects since 2000 and their value can be found in the following table. Data for 1997 to 1999 are not available.
	
		
			   £ 
			 Refurbishment of 2-4 Cockspur Street, SW1 4.10 million 
			 Provision of Facilities Management Services 3.96 million 
			 Administration of the Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme 1.50 million 
			 Feasibility Study into the formation of Culture Online 1.34 million 
			 Validation of Olympic Games Cost 255,000 
			 Review of Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) Programmes 224,000 
			 Project Management Training 240,000 
			 BBC Consultancy Requirement 205,000 
			 Study to Identify the priorities of Local Communities 151,000 
			 Provision of a Skill Audit Solution 136,000 
			 Management of a 360 Degree Feedback System 130,000 
			 Olympic Games Impact Study of Ceremonial Requirements (1)128,000 
			  126,000 
			 Promotion of International Arts in the UK 100,000 
			 Public Awareness Campaign—Digital Switchover 100,000 
			 Review of Public Libraries Standards 100,000 
			 Review of BBC News Digital Services 96,000 
			 Evaluation of National Regional Museums 89,000 
			 Research on Indicators of Mental Health and Social Inclusion Outcomes 87,000 
			 Touchstone Change Management Consultancy 85,000 
			 (1) Management 
		
	
	The information required to answer parts  (a),  (b) and  (c) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Voluntary Organisations

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from which charitable organisations her Department has seconded staff; and what position each person holds in the Department.

David Lammy: holding answer 5 December 2006
	The Department currently seconds four staff from organisations with charitable status: two are from the British Library, and two are from English Heritage.
	Two of the staff are policy advisers at DCMS Grade B and C (HEO and EO equivalent) and two are policy assistants are at DCMS Grade D (AO equivalent).

Written Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary written questions her Department received in each parliamentary session since 2001; and how many of these questions  (a) were not answered because of disproportionate cost,  (b) were not answered,  (c) received answers referring back to a previous answer (i) asked by the hon. Member and (ii) asked by another hon. Member and  (d) were grouped together for answer.

David Lammy: The number of parliamentary written questions tabled to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in each parliamentary session since 2001 is as follows:
	
		
			  Session  PQs received( 1) 
			 2001-02 2,535 
			 2002-03 1,492 
			 2003-04 1,389 
			 2004-05 673 
			 2005-06 3,080 
			 (1 )Information obtained from the DCMS Parliamentary Questions database. 
		
	
	All questions either received an answer or were transferred to another Government Department for reply. We are unable to provide the other information you requested without incurring disproportionate cost. However all DCMS answers are a matter of public record and can be found in the  Official Report.

HMRC Offices

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has made to HM Treasury on the proposed closures of HM Revenue and Customs offices in Wales.

Peter Hain: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State wrote in November to the Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo, concerning the HM Revenue and Customs Change programme. He will also be meeting the Paymaster General in January to discuss the programme further.

Street Children

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the Department's expenditure on anti-HIV/AIDS projects is being directed to schemes involving street children; and how the effectiveness of this aid is measured.

Gareth Thomas: Over three years (from 2005-06 to 2007-08) the UK Government will spend at least £1.5 billion on AIDS related work in the developing world. At least £150 million will be spent on programmes to meet the needs of orphans and other children, particularly those in Africa, made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. We do not record or report expenditure specifically on street children. Expenditure on street children will be part of the £150 million commitment to orphans and vulnerable children.
	An example of DFID's support in this area is the £450,000 contribution to the Street and Working Children Programme in Burma. One element of this programme was HIV and AIDS education. In 2005-06 DFID provided £32 million in core funding to UNICEF whose work includes programmes to help street children affected by AIDS.
	The effectiveness of DFID's bilateral aid projects and programmes is measured using monitoring and evaluation at the project and programme level. An interim evaluation of the UK's strategy for tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world, Taking Action, is currently taking place and final reports will be published in early 2007.

Army Recruitment

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited to the Regular Army in each of the last 12 months; and how many of these recruits became trained soldiers.

Derek Twigg: The following table provides intake figures for untrained soldiers to the Army in each of the last 12 months up to 1 October 2006:
	
		
			  Intake in the month up to:  Soldiers 
			 1 November 2005 980 
			 1 December 2005 940 
			 1 January 2006 200 
			 1 February 2006 2,020 
			 1 March 2006 790 
			 1 April 2006 1,040 
			 1 May 2006 830 
			 1 June 2006 980 
			 1 July 2006 590 
			 1 August 2006 950 
			 1 September 2006 1,070 
			 1 October 2006 2,200 
			 Total 12,580 
			  Notes: 1. The figures show UK Regular Army personnel, including nursing services, but exclude full-time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised Reservists. 2. All figures are rounded and, as such, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 
		
	
	Of the 12,580 soldiers who joined the untrained strength of the UK Regular Army between 1 October 2005 and 30 September 2006, 1,550 soldiers have subsequently become trained during this period. As at 1 October 2006, 8,730 soldiers were still undergoing phase 1 or 2 training at this time.

Departmental Funding

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of  (a) the total funding necessary for all operational force enhancements referred to in his written statement of 24 July 2006 and  (b) the amount and proportion of such funding to come from (i) acceleration of existing funding within his Department's budget and (ii) new funding from the Treasury.

Des Browne: The investment in Vector, Mastiff and Bulldog vehicles is split between funding from the Reserve and the Department.
	Vector is a planned programme using accelerated acquisition procedures to meet an urgent operational requirement. All 160 or so vehicles will be funded by the Department; contract negotiations for the second tranche of vehicles which I announced on 24 July are still to be finalised, so I am not in a position to confirm the exact cost of the whole acquisition, although it is expected to be in the region of £50 million.
	The Treasury is providing around £70 million to fund the procurement of 108 Mastiff vehicles, subject to finalisation of commercial arrangements, and around £30 million is being provided by the Treasury to fund about 70 additional up-armoured and up-graded FV430 vehicles, which will be known as Bulldog.
	The operating costs of the two extra CH-47 Chinook helicopters whose deployment on Operation Herrick 1 announced on 24 July will be funded from the Reserve as a net additional cost of operations, in the usual way.

Departmental Staff

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of staff employed in his Department were registered disabled in each year since 2001.

Derek Twigg: MOD disability data are collected on employee self declaration of disability, and may include staff not listed as registered disabled. The following table shows the number and percentage of staff in the Ministry of Defence self declared as disabled since 2001.
	
		
			  At April each year  Declared disability  Declared disability (percentage) 
			 2001 4,130 8.2 
			 2002 4,630 8.7 
			 2003 4,160 7.7 
			 2004 3,690 6.4 
			 2005 3,560 5.7 
			 2006 3,390 5.5 
			  Notes: 1. All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Disability percentage is based on known disability and excludes staff of unknown declaration.

Agriculture Training

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to help young people train for careers in agriculture.

Phil Hope: Land-based specialist and rural colleges will continue to be central to delivering the specialised skills required by the wide range of employers operating in this important sector. These colleges offer pre-entry level courses to higher level skills development to young people from 14 years and they work closely with local employers to ensure the curriculum, facilities and qualifications reflect industry standards.
	Apprenticeships are the main route available to young people seeking vocational qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3. Apprenticeship frameworks are developed by employers through Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). LANTRA, the SSC for the Environmental and Land-based Sector, are developing with five partner SSCs a Land-based and Environmental Studies Diploma that will be taught from September 2009. A new statutory entitlement to study for a Diploma will be in place for all 14 to 19-year-olds from September 2013. LANTRA through their website offer career portals dedicated for both young people and adults which signpost routes into a wide variety of careers in the sector.

Child Care

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what consultation events were held with key stakeholders in relation to child care during 2006; which Government representatives attended such events; and what the cost to the public purse was of each event;
	(2)  how many structured discussions were held with parents through local forums about child care during 2006; which Government representatives attended such discussions; and what the cost to the public purse of each discussion was.

Beverley Hughes: We have consulted widely with parents and key stakeholders throughout 2006 and details of the principal events are given as follows:
	
		
			  Event  Government representatives who attended  Cost 
			 Three events to support the consultation on the Ofsted Childcare Register were held for child care providers and local authorities and meetings were held with key stakeholders. DfES officials 650 
			 Eight events to consult with local authorities and Children's Information Services on the draft regulations and statutory guidance for the duty to provide information, advice and assistance in section 12 of the Childcare Act 2006. Also one event to consult other stakeholders, including delivery organisations and interested voluntary organisations. DfES officials 11,100 
			 Introductory conference with local authority Pathfinders to increase the number of hours and flexibility of the free early years entitlement for three and four-year-olds. DfES officials 3,000 
			 Two seminars for local authorities piloting the free early years entitlement scheme for two-year-olds. DfES officials 4,900 
			 Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) Standards and Requirements Consultation Events: four events held in Leeds and London. DfES officials 45,000 
			 EYPS Standards and Requirements online consultation DfES officials 8,000 
			 EYPS Standards and Requirements Consultation with children and their parents and carers. DfES officials 10,000 
			 Standards for Leaders of Children's Centres Consultation from 25 September to 6 November. One consultation event held in each region apart from the South East. Two events held in London. One event held for professional organisations. On-line consultation. DfES officials (1)— 
			 Three policy roundtables on the Transformation Fund to explore its use with the aim of ensuring the funding makes a lasting impact on the development of the early years work force into the future. DfES officials 15,750 
			 The Daycare Trust Listening to Families project included initial discussions with parents and children from five locations. A short film of these discussions was presented to the Trust's National Conference on 8 November. DfES officials 13,000 
			 Events held to consult on the development of the Early Years Foundation Stage attended by a range of key stakeholders. Primary National Foundation Stage Advisors 20,740 
			 Foundation Stage HE/FE Conferences March 2006 Primary National Foundation Stage Advisors 17,070 
			 None lead Early Years Advisors Conferences June, November/December Primary National Foundation Stage Advisors 63,300 
			 Joint DfES/LGA "Implementing the Childcare Strategy: National Conference for Local Authorities" showcased outcomes from the 12 Local Authorities who took part in the Childcare Implementation Project. Minister for Children, Young People and Families DfES officials (2)6,000 
			 (1) Costs were covered from within NCSL's budget for delivering the NPQICL programme. (2) Approximately. 
		
	
	In addition, the Primary National Strategies are continuing with ongoing programmes of events involving a range of stakeholders in the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
	The Sure Start, Extended Schools and Childcare Stakeholder Group, announced in the Ten Year Childcare Strategy Action Plan published in April 2006, has met three times. The group, chaired by Dame Julie Mellor, consists of members from local authorities, health, the private and voluntary sector and frontline staff advises Ministers on the implementation of the strategy and wider early years and child care policy. To date the group has cost £6,800 to run.

Child Care

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many children's centres are  (a) in operation and  (b) planned to open in the next 12 months;
	(2)  how much has been allocated to the children's centres by his Department.

Beverley Hughes: As of 1 December 2006 there were 1,048 designated Sure Start Children's Centres. We are on track to meet our 2008 target of 2,500 centres and our 2010 target of 3,500 children's centres, one for every community.
	Local authorities are responsible for planning and managing the delivery of children's centres, and future designation dates are subject to change as they revise their plans. Authorities receive ongoing support and challenge from the Department to ensure their overall targets are met.
	The Department has allocated an indicative sum of £1.5 billion for children's centres over 2004-08.

Children's Services (Integration)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many national and regional training  (a) sessions,  (b) seminars and  (c) conferences were held with social care, education and health care providers as part of the integration of children's services in 2006; what Government representatives attended such events; and what the cost to the public purse was of each event.

Beverley Hughes: In 2006 my Department arranged the following events to support the integration of children's services
	
		
			  Event  Government representatives who attended  Cost (£) 
			 10 Every Child Matters Emerging Practice one day regional events DfES/Government Office officials 493,760 
			
			 National Sure Start Month—in partnership with the Pre-school Learning Alliance, National Day Nurseries Association, National Childminders Association DfES, Ministers and officials 330,000 
			
			 National Conference on Affordable and Sustainable Childcare, Children's Centres and Extended Schools DfES officials 25,000 
			
			 Joint DfES, Improvement Development Agency (IDeA), CFBT Education Trust—'Making a Difference Locally' national symposium DfES/Government Office officials DfES contribution 7,830 
			
			 Joint DfES/IDeA 'Better Results Network' regional events DfES/Government Office officials DfES contribution 6,000 
			
			 9 Integrated Children's Systems regional events February to March 2006 DfES/Government Office officials 84,000 
			
			 8 Integrated Children's Systems regional events November to December 2006 DfES Government Office officials 120,000 
			
			 Integrated Children's Systems national seminar for the Voluntary Sector DfES officials 15,000 
		
	
	In addition, I, other Ministers and officials attended and supported a range of other events on topics relating to Every Child Matters which were organised by the Department's delivery partners. They included: a conference organised by Children Now on Meeting the Needs of Children in Residential Care; a two day event organised by four Children on Integrated Support for Children and Families; a series of regional consultation events to support the "Care Matters" Green Paper run by Government offices; a conference on National Children and Adult Services organised by the Local Government Association, Association of Directors of Social Services, and Association of Directors of Education and Children's Services; a conference on Safeguarding and Child Protection organised by Children Now; and a conference on Commissioning Children's Services by Barnardo's which will be held on 14 December 2006.
	Representatives from my Department and Government offices also attended training events co-ordinated by the Training and Development Agency for Schools during 2006 which helped establish targeted youth support arrangements in 14 local authorities. These events involved professionals from Education Welfare, Primary Care Trusts, Police, Children's and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Youth Offending Teams.

Extended Schools

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was allocated to each local education authority to support the development of extended schools  (a) up to March 2006 and  (b) for 2006 to 2008.

Beverley Hughes: The funding allocated to each local authority to support the development of extended schools is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Annex 
			   Total funding 
			   LA  2003/04  2004-05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 Barking and Dagenham 120,500 164,000 435,088 737,345 951,069 
			 Barnet 25,000 218,000 542,318 964,178 1,196,661 
			 Barnsley 187,500 119,000 479,655 814,149 1,020,410 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 0 0 482,129 734,038 818,657 
			 Bedfordshire 0 0 726,806 1,118,420 1,424,510 
			 Bexley 0 0 575,094 788,035 906,694 
			 Birmingham 227,000 531,513 1,390,328 3,577,705 5,121,810 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 187,500 416,108 417,108 654,042 838,659 
			 Blackpool 187,500 119,000 391,922 563,887 697,065 
			 Bolton 147,500 194,000 549,005 950,348 1,162,847 
			 Bournemouth 0 0 457,524 662,836 725,805 
			 Bracknell Forest 0 0 415,658 575,002 616,252 
			 Bradford 247,940 745,302 786,236 1,789,116 2,385,752 
			 Brent 145,500 194,000 477,936 893,125 1,178,651 
			 Brighton and Hove 35,500 224,000 648,185 837,951 992,089 
			 Bromley 0 188,000 573,022 1,126,564 1,439,831 
			 Buckinghamshire 0 188,000 737,969 1,055,645 1,220,805 
			 Bury 25,000 218,000 729,463 1,424,580 1,688,227 
			 Calderdale 52,000 248,000 444,058 748,118 856,514 
			 Cambridgeshire 43,500 44,000 657,636 891,595 1,072,837 
			 Camden 120,500 426,007 855,047 1,795,249 2,231,655 
			 Cheshire 0 188,000 382,007 579,459 795,505 
			 City of Bristol 120,500 164,000 1,132,531 2,042,456 2,530,196 
			 City of London 187,500 119,000 39,500 50,000 50,000 
			 Cornwall 25,500 26,000 810,754 1,557,683 2,064,350 
			 Coventry 27,000 218,000 757,149 1,058,563 1,327,700 
			 Croydon 27,000 380,000 695,146 1,124,215 1,412,070 
			 Cumbria 0 188,000 937,352 1,655,847 2,278,173 
			 Darlington 0 188,000 352,618 524,659 620,343 
			 Derby 0 188,000 681,653 868,604 1,071,685 
			 Derbyshire 27,000 30,000 1,264,883 2,294,745 2,900,076 
			 Devon 0 783,412 972,412 2,229,739 2,964,951 
			 Doncaster 187,500 574,290 575,290 1,051,723 1,364,328 
			 Dorset 0 0 686,496 1,239,838 1,531,576 
			 Dudley 0 188,000 778,310 1,193,867 1,408,935 
			 Durham 106,500 304,000 1,132,439 1,674,463 2,239,225 
			 Ealing 212,500 149,000 509,175 968,909 1,273,348 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 0 461,923 650,923 1,094,792 1,424,486 
			 East Sussex 0 188,000 889,952 1,498,094 1,830,136 
			 Enfield 147,500 194,000 553,665 1,040,550 1,346,451 
			 Essex 0 0 2,055,292 3,797,326 4,667,039 
			 Gateshead 238,000 175,000 436,164 702,247 888,295 
			 Gloucestershire 25,000 30,000 889,903 1,697,428 2,118,412 
			 Greenwich 146,000 571,750 472,642 852,563 1,174,571 
			 Hackney 613,160 557,160 413,160 729,689 1,012,630 
			 Halton 479,204 414,204 385,204 536,088 677,714 
			 Hammersmith 145,500 194,000 352,425 490,653 673,270 
			 Hampshire 0 0 1,547,339 3,414,149 4,116,348 
			 Haringey 233,702 700,234 459,376 857,888 1,194,133 
			 Harrow 25,000 218,000 442,797 816,945 951,329 
			 Hartlepool 421,484 353,484 354,484 462,891 569,451 
			 Havering 0 0 566,232 794,191 910,709 
			 Herefordshire 293,922 294,422 483,422 650,074 859,576 
			 Hertfordshire 25,500 26,000 1,418,158 3,204,991 3,774,002 
			 Hillingdon 52,000 248,000 503,022 888,381 1,084,794 
			 Hounslow 145,500 194,000 465,181 772,498 978,727 
			 Isle of Wight 0 188,000 375,675 555,149 678,230 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 303,373 150,000 150,000 
			 Islington 320,500 542,245 398,245 662,536 925,628 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 120,500 164,000 311,921 387,224 494,535 
			 Kent 135,000 338,000 2,396,257 3,995,795 4,967,897 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0 0 524,848 939,885 1,218,110 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull 187,500 523,848 443,406 646,577 697,885 
			 Kirklees 25,000 406,000 790,820 1,372,545 1,738,546 
			 Knowsley 456,863 503,863 429,863 724,828 993,519 
			 Lambeth 347,500 294,000 421,930 790,026 1,089,192 
			 Lancashire 104,500 868,000 1,824,687 3,531,061 4,515,291 
			 Leeds 120,500 264,177 977,855 2,144,841 2,761,511 
			 Leicester 212,500 813,950 560,445 1,079,113 1,407,637 
			 Leicestershire 25,000 291,508 956,150 1,980,150 2,343,795 
			 Lewisham 156,698 573,921 466,791 861,330 1,139,319 
			 Lincolnshire 187,500 206,000 1,361,711 2,112,980 2,766,561 
			 Liverpool 763,705 994,861 738,705 1,527,307 2,164,824 
			 Luton 187,500 119,000 462,928 758,724 959,640 
			 Manchester 684,602 728,602 684,602 1,635,156 2,421,213 
			 Medway Towns 79,500 86,000 612,316 917,640 1,088,495 
			 Merton 0 188,000 388,942 663,578 760,966 
			 Middlesbrough 238,000 430,945 401,945 590,771 756,402 
			 Milton Keynes 0 188,000 476,172 806,933 960,351 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 213,000 145,000 492,263 868,780 1,173,788 
			 Newham 561,993 605,993 561,993 1,206,549 1,732,501 
			 Norfolk 52,500 244,000 1,381,814 2,448,290 3,283,723 
			 North East Lincolnshire 0 188,000 622,767 779,234 944,604 
			 North Lincolnshire 27,000 30,000 487,872 623,788 787,818 
			 North Somerset 0 0 500,566 648,309 772,058 
			 North Tyneside 213,000 145,000 445,885 693,010 847,350 
			 North Yorkshire 737,071 740,571 899,571 2,021,908 2,738,473 
			 Northamptonshire 27,000 30,000 1,191,199 2,053,639 2,549,150 
			 Northumberland 25,500 214,000 754,897 1,084,773 1,456,415 
			 Nottingham City 174,500 612,293 508,293 956,347 1,290,071 
			 Nottinghamshire 50,500 56,000 1,116,260 2,434,868 3,018,607 
			 Oldham 198,000 250,000 515,398 915,033 1,168,151 
			 Oxfordshire 0 0 879,687 1,657,520 2,057,992 
			 Peterborough 25,000 218,000 436,698 669,867 834,687 
			 Plymouth 52,000 248,000 698,163 953,563 1,128,931 
			 Poole 27,000 30,000 444,203 635,125 667,190 
			 Portsmouth 25,500 214,000 427,812 638,630 763,314 
			 Reading 120,500 164,000 355,884 459,842 535,722 
			 Redbridge 25,000 218,000 509,469 916,124 1,099,720 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 187,500 119,000 413,764 601,252 773,435 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0 0 449,250 682,745 752,169 
			 Rochdale 145,500 608,361 488,231 836,108 1,076,381 
			 Rotherham 187,500 119,000 547,983 971,182 1,212,822 
			 Rutland 148,023 148,023 336,523 398,086 434,511 
			 Salford 120,500 164,000 475,583 845,056 1,106,226 
			 Sandwell 212,500 825,029 578,146 1,127,731 1,455,553 
			 Sefton 213,000 145,000 553,603 959,510 1,184,746 
			 Sheffield 174,500 224,000 751,987 1,555,418 1,977,005 
			 Shropshire 404,890 405,390 594,390 946,177 1,253,388 
			 Slough 172,500 224,000 371,078 491,383 585,843 
			 Solihull 213,000 145,000 495,181 803,339 942,727 
			 Somerset 0 0 805,298 1,495,918 1,932,778 
			 South Gloucestershire 0 0 582,958 1,026,755 1,160,142 
			 South Tyneside 482,366 414,366 415,366 603,531 775,162 
			 Southampton 0 188,000 455,839 795,995 952,952 
			 Southend-on-Sea 0 188,000 608,913 716,094 827,087 
			 Southwark 496,514 644,514 470,514 931,518 1,296,140 
			 St Helens 187,500 119,000 440,366 681,143 838,880 
			 Staffordshire 27,000 30,000 1,178,327 2,537,634 3,121,417 
			 Stockport 0 188,000 539,129 908,857 1,056,525 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 214,500 149,000 456,063 723,166 900,828 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 212,500 149,000 496,125 862,786 1,125,827 
			 Suffolk 27,000 824,279 983,279 2,037,125 2,665,837 
			 Sunderland 214,500 591,651 562,651 993,968 1,250,885 
			 Surrey 0 0 1,238,111 2,732,066 3,142,681 
			 Sutton 0 0 506,835 789,036 881,497 
			 Swindon 0 0 518,554 697,933 815,212 
			 Tameside 104,500 304,000 500,135 821,066 1,006,162 
			 Telford and Wrekin 0 188,000 614,834 774,994 937,800 
			 Thurrock 25,000 218,000 399,824 577,380 678,537 
			 Torbay 0 188,000 371,535 583,668 676,349 
			 Tower Hamlets 500,498 549,398 475,398 993,708 1,554,467 
			 Trafford 0 188,000 667,984 886,097 1,012,145 
			 Wakefield 0 188,000 786,716 1,203,051 1,453,835 
			 Walsall 0 188,000 554,276 993,804 1,221,933 
			 Waltham Forest 120,500 164,000 480,947 808,949 1,063,201 
			 Wandsworth 187,500 119,000 419,089 705,640 927,109 
			 Warrington 0 0 531,944 870,072 967,729 
			 Warwickshire 25,500 26,000 827,442 1,687,088 2,052,631 
			 West Berkshire 0 0 475,117 731,194 845,252 
			 West Sussex 0 0 1,035,369 2,146,316 2,489,787 
			 Westminster 120,500 164,000 362,076 537,907 736,506 
			 Wigan 25,000 218,000 778,186 1,064,623 1,286,810 
			 Wiltshire 0 0 750,839 1,557,099 1,959,285 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0 0 440,403 604,940 660,990 
			 Wirral 0 119,000 599,656 1,141,393 1,529,894 
			 Wokingham 187,500 0 473,406 699,731 752,602 
			 Wolverhampton 0 164,000 507,550 895,516 1,138,045 
			 Worcestershire 120,500 0 852,837 1,658,211 2,002,709 
			 York 0 0 478,553 747,225 835,751 
			 Total 18,031,135 35,408,597 97,057,687 170,058,664 213,769,331

Extended Schools

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have been designated as extended schools in each local education authority; and what criteria for service delivery are required to be met.

Beverley Hughes: 3,739 schools are currently delivering the full core offer of extended schools. A breakdown containing the number of schools providing access to extended services by local authority is included at Annex A.
	All these schools are providing a core offer of extended services. This is comprised of a varied menu of study support activities in primary and secondary schools and high quality childcare 8am-6pm all year round in primary schools. These services will be provided on the school site or in partnership with local private, voluntary and independent providers. They will also offer parenting support; swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialist support services such as health and social care; and wider community access to ICT, sports and arts facilities, on the school site including adult learning. What extended services provision looks like in practice will vary according to the needs of each community, based on consultation through schools.
	
		
			  Annex A: Number of schools delivering the full core offer( 1) 
			  LEA  Total 
			 Barking and Dagenham 13 
			 Barnet 26 
			 Barnsley 14 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 18 
			 Bedfordshire 34 
			 Bexley 15 
			 Birmingham 130 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 11 
			 Blackpool 7 
			 Bolton 3 
			 Bournemouth 5 
			 Bracknell Forest 6 
			 Bradford 71 
			 Brent 15 
			 Brighton and Hove 26 
			 Bristol City of 16 
			 Bromley 15 
			 Buckinghamshire 3 
			 Bury 8 
			 Calderdale 16 
			 Cambridgeshire 59 
			 Camden 9 
			 Cheshire 23 
			 Cornwall 4 
			 Corporation of London 1 
			 Coventry 18 
			 Croydon 19 
			 Cumbria 85 
			 Darlington 19 
			 Derby City 42 
			 Derbyshire 44 
			 Devon 16 
			 Doncaster 8 
			 Dorset 23 
			 Dudley 5 
			 Durham 64 
			 Ealing 15 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 30 
			 East Sussex 27 
			 Enfield 14 
			 Essex 124 
			 Gateshead 90 
			 Gloucestershire 22 
			 Greenwich 24 
			 Hackney 11 
			 Halton 13 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 14 
			 Hampshire 41 
			 Haringey 18 
			 Hartlepool 8 
			 Havering 19 
			 Herefordshire 14 
			 Hertfordshire 42 
			 Hillingdon 3 
			 Hounslow 17 
			 Isle of Wight 33 
			 Islington 10 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6 
			 Kent 75 
			 Kingston upon Hull City Council 30 
			 Kingston upon Thames 34 
			 Kirklees 62 
			 Knowsley 14 
			 Lambeth 16 
			 Lancashire 51 
			 Leeds 34 
			 Leicester 22 
			 Leicestershire 40 
			 Lewisham 21 
			 Lincolnshire 43 
			 Liverpool 52 
			 Luton 44 
			 Manchester 19 
			 Medway 16 
			 Merton 9 
			 Middlesbrough 15 
			 Milton Keynes 39 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 57 
			 Newham 23 
			 Norfolk 58 
			 North East Lincolnshire 22 
			 North Lincolnshire 12 
			 North Somerset 14 
			 North Tyneside 12 
			 North Yorkshire 19 
			 Northamptonshire 33 
			 Northumberland 46 
			 Nottingham 19 
			 Nottinghamshire 36 
			 Oldham 12 
			 Oxfordshire 23 
			 Peterborough 17 
			 Plymouth 17 
			 Poole 8 
			 Portsmouth 72 
			 Reading 9 
			 Redbridge 11 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 60 
			 Richmond upon Thames 12 
			 Rochdale 16 
			 Rotherham 23 
			 Rutland 15 
			 Salford 10 
			 Sandwell 18 
			 Sefton 26 
			 Sheffield 38 
			 Shropshire 25 
			 Slough 8 
			 Solihull 15 
			 Somerset 51 
			 South Gloucestershire 21 
			 South Tyneside 19 
			 Southampton 17 
			 Southend-on-Sea 11 
			 Southwark 1 
			 St. Helens 9 
			 Stockport 22 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 37 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 21 
			 Suffolk 50 
			 Sunderland 60 
			 Surrey 46 
			 Sutton 13 
			 Swindon 22 
			 Tameside 14 
			 Telford and Wrekin 12 
			 Thurrock 8 
			 Torbay 7 
			 Tower Hamlets 14 
			 Trafford 13 
			 Wakefield 20 
			 Walsall 3 
			 Waltham Forest 19 
			 Wandsworth 16 
			 Warrington 34 
			 Warwickshire 37 
			 West Berkshire 43 
			 West Sussex 31 
			 Westminster 9 
			 Wigan 29 
			 Wiltshire 23 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 9 
			 Wirral 17 
			 Wolverhampton 28 
			 Worcestershire 27 
			 York 18 
			 Total 3,739 
			 (1 )Data correct as at 5 December 2006

Higher Education

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students participated in higher education in each year since 1995, broken down by socio-economic category.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is given in the following tables. Final figures for 2006 year of entry will be available in January 2007. The latest provisional figures for 2006 entry show that, as at mid October 2006, the proportion of English domiciled acceptances from the lower socio-economic groups was slightly up compared to the corresponding point for 2005 entry (31.7 per cent. of acceptances are from the bottom four socio-economic groups this year, compared to 31.4 per cent. at this point last year).
	The figures are taken from data collected by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which are limited to students who apply to full-time first degree courses via the UCAS application system. The figures do not therefore cover part-time students nor those full-time students who apply directly to higher education institutions.
	The socio-economic classification was introduced in 2002/03 to replace the social class categories, and so the two sets of data in these tables are not directly comparable.
	
		
			  Accepted applicants to UK higher education institutions by social class for years of entry 1995-2001 
			   Year of entry 
			   1995  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001 
			  Social class
			 I Professional 38,719 39,294 39,644 38,510 38,864 38,841 39,748 
			 II Intermediate 103,404 104,956 117,360 115,615 115,667 117,675 120,831 
			 HIM Skilled-non manual 30,271 31,301 37,333 35,610 36,286 37,778 38,774 
			 HIM Skilled-manual 42,541 40,919 44,804 44,207 44,474 44,415 48,412 
			 IV Partly skilled 19,780 19,852 23,507 22,692 23,097 24,152 23,114 
			 V Unskilled 5,039 4,900 5,620 5,329 5,538 5,535 5,604 
			 Total known 239,754 241,222 268,268 261,963 263,926 268,396 276,483 
			 X Unknown 25,782 27,067 35,050 36,257 39,139 40,322 48,989 
			 Total 265,536 268,289 303,318 298,220 303,065 308,718 325,472 
			  Proportion of students with known social background
			 1 — IIIN (percentage) 71.9 72.8 72.4 72.4 72.3 72.4 72.1 
			 IIIM-V (percentage) 28.1 27.2 27.6 27.6 27.7 27.6 27.9 
			  Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) 
		
	
	
		
			  Accepted applicants to UK higher education institutions by socio-economic—Status for years of entry 2002-05 
			   Year of entry 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005 
			  Socio-economic status (NS-SEC) 
			 1. Higher managerial and professional occupations 61,419 59,472 59,679 59,670 
			 2. Lower managerial and professional occupations 83,476 83,113 84,628 87,107 
			 3. Intermediate occupations 42,112 40,576 40,790 42,222 
			 4. Small employers and own account workers 20,056 19,992 19,881 20,668 
			 5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations 12,830 13,457 13,114 13,454 
			 6. Semi-routine occupations 34,647 35,254 35,516 38,866 
			 7. Routine occupations 15,855 15,183 15,199 16,062 
			 Total known 270,395 267,047 268,807 278,049 
			 8. Unknown 61,330 66,895 65,488 82,195 
			 Total 331,725 333,942 334,295 360,244 
			  Proportion of students with known social background 
			 1-3 (percentage) 69.2 68.6 68.9 68.0 
			 4-7 (percentage 30.8 31.4 31.1 32.0 
			  Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

National Identity Register

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Information Sharing Index will be compatible with the National Identity Register.

Beverley Hughes: There are no operational dependencies between plans for implementation of the information sharing index and for the National Identity Register (NIR) that will underpin the National Identity Scheme for those aged 16 years old and over. The objectives of the index are quite distinct from the objectives of the NIR.
	The purpose of the index is to support local agencies in their duties to co-operate to promote the well-being of children, and to safeguard them and promote their welfare, as set down in Sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004 and in the safeguarding duty on school and colleges in Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. The data to be held about children on the index is clearly specified and limited by Section 12 of the Children Act 2004 and in draft regulations, on which we are currently consulting. This consultation will close on 14 December 2006.

Nursery Education

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many mainstream nursery providers there were in England in  (a) 1995 and  (b) 2005.

Beverley Hughes: The available information on child care providers is shown in Tables 1 and 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number ( 1,2)  of registered child care providers for children under eight years of age by type of care—England 
			  Type of care  Position at 31 March 2005 
			 Full day care 12,100 
			 Sessional day care 10,200 
			 Childminders 70,200 
			 Out of school day care 9,700 
			 Creche day care 2,500 
			 (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source:  Ofsted 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number ( 1,2)  of day care providers for children under eight years of age by type of provider—England 
			  Type of provider  Position at 31 March 1995 
			 Day nurseries 5,400 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 16,900 
			 Childminders 97,100 
			 Out of school clubs 1,600 
			 Holiday schemes 4,200 
			 (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source:  Children's Day Care Facilities Survey. 
		
	
	Local authorities were responsible for the registration and inspection of children's day care facilities until these responsibilities were transferred to Ofsted in September 2001. The figures for 2005 were derived from the Ofsted database of registered child care providers. The figures for 1995 were derived from the Children's Day Care Facilities Survey, which was discontinued in 2001. Therefore the figures for child care providers for 2005 are not directly comparable with the day care figures for 1995.
	With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards and the transfer of responsibilities for registration and inspection of childcare providers from Local Authority Social Service Departments to Ofsted in September 2001, child care places were classified according to the type of day care provided: full day care, sessional day care, childminder, out of school day care or creche day care. Ofsted have produced figures based on this classification on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report "Registered Childcare Providers and Places, September 2006", which is available on their website:
	www.ofsted.gov.uk/
	Up until March 2001, child care providers were classified according to the type of provider: day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs and holiday schemes. Figures based on this classification were published in a series of Statistical Bulletins, which are available from the Department's website:
	www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.

Schools: Arson

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of arson in schools was in  (a) the Eastern Region,  (b) Cambridgeshire and  (c) Peterborough local education authority in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 4 December 2006
	We do not have figures for school fires broken down by local authority areas. The data we have is provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which collects figures from the fire and rescue service. The earliest figures we have on school fires from DCLG are for 2000, and the most recent for 2004. These cover England and Wales. The costs are rounded to the nearest million and are derived from the (then) ODPM publication "Economic Cost of Fire, estimates for 2004". They cover property damage and the costs of the fire and rescue services attending the fires.
	
		
			   Number of fires  Total costs (£ million) 
			 2000 1,275 45 
			 2001 1,529 67 
			 2002 1,332 67 
			 2003 1,313 61 
			 2004 1,291 52 
		
	
	The available data does not differentiate between primary and secondary schools, or between the public and independent sectors.
	For the years covered, just over 60 per cent. of the school fires were considered to be the result of deliberate fire setting. Because of this, we have included advice on improving security and preventing arson in our new guide on fire safety in schools—Building Bulletin 100, "Designing and Managing against the Risk of fire in Schools". This will be completed shortly and we expect to publish it before Easter next year.

University Applications

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people from Eastbourne constituency applied to attend university in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The available information on the numbers of entrants to undergraduate courses from the Eastbourne parliamentary constituency is shown in the table. The figures for 2005/06 will be available in January 2007.
	
		
			  Number of entrants to undergraduate courses at UK higher education institutions from the Eastbourne parliamentary constituency 
			  Academic year  Entrants to undergraduate courses( 1) 
			 1995/96 685 
			 1996/97 600 
			 1997/98 595 
			 1998/99 695 
			 1999/00 730 
			 2000/01 745 
			 2001/02 755 
			 2002/03 825 
			 2003/04 890 
			 2004/05 915 
			 (1) Students from the Eastbourne parliamentary constituency have been identified by their home postcode. Before 1998/99, figures may not be comparable with later figures because some institutions did not provide a valid postcode for their entrants.  Note: The figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 of December and are rounded to the nearest 5. They cover part-time and full-time students and exclude students on writing up, sabbatical and dormant modes of study.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 
		
	
	The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) collect information on applicants to full-time undergraduate courses at UK higher education institutions but they do not produce figures on the number of applicants by parliamentary constituency.

Benefits

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were in receipt of state benefits in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by benefit.

David Hanson: The number of people in receipt of benefits in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Benefit statistics 
			   Number of recipients 
			  Benefit type  October 2002  October 2003  October 2004  October 2005  October 2006 
			 Income Support(1) 207,011 210,340 116,277 115,299 112,186 
			 Job Seeker's Allowance(1) 42,129 40,653 35,829 33,543 30,911 
			 Pension Credit(1) — — 106,647 112,699 112,788 
			 Retirement Pension 250,648 257,737 260,991 265,206 269,787 
			 Incapacity Benefit 108,593 112,615 112,723 115,608 115,598 
			 Attendance Allowance 70,983 71,369 71,279 69,467 68,454 
			 Disability Living Allowance 146,971 153,518 162,466 167,993 170,689 
			 Carers Allowance 35,893 38,572 43,327 45,091 46,221 
			 Housing Benefit(2) 125,602 125,469 125,817 129,588 130,839 
			 Widow's Benefit 6,707 6,016 5,199 4,558 3,928 
			 Bereavement Benefit 1,120 1,430 1,503 1,618 1,749 
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (3)1,351 12,038 12,459 12,785 11,463 
			 (1) Figures relate to actual beneficiaries, namely claimant and partner as these are means tested benefits. (2 )It has not been possible to provide adult beneficiaries, namely claimant and partner for housing benefit. The information in question was unavailable for this point in time. (3 )This figure does not include all types of industrial injuries disablement benefit. The information in question was unavailable for this point in time.  Note:  This table represents the benefit specific situation for the point in time i.e. October of each year.

Correspondence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will reply to the letter dated 6 October 2006 from the hon. Lady for North Down in relation to a patient being cared for in the Fintona North Ward at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

Paul Goggins: I apologise for the delay in providing a comprehensive response to your letter of 6 October 2006. This has now been issued.

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on media training in each year since 1997-98.

Peter Hain: The amount spent on media training in the Northern Ireland Office is as follows.
	Information for the years 1997-98 to 2001-02 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Financial year  Expenditure (£) 
			 2006-07 670 
			 2005-06 Nil 
			 2004-05 430 
			 2003-04 Nil 
			 2002-03 Nil

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on statistics relating to the work of his Department in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The Northern Ireland Office produces each year a wide range of statistical reports relating to the major areas of interest in the criminal justice field. The past five years have, in addition, seen the implementation of major reform of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland through the Criminal Justice Review. The Statistics and Research Branch of the Department has underpinned this work with analyses and evaluations of many of the key reforms including in 2005-06 research in relation to topics such as equity monitoring, domestic violence, bail and youth diversion. Table 1 provides information on the amount of money spent on statistics and research relating to the work of the Northern Ireland Office from 2001-02 to 2005-06.
	
		
			  Table 1: Amount spent on statistics and research 2001-02 to 2005-06( 1) 
			  £ 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Criminology research 350,429 222,899 291,186 245,361 262,605 
			 Criminal justice review research — 133,067 278,158 215,244 568,184 
			 Consultancy fees 27,822 — — — — 
			 Salaries 440,681 545,398 552,914 577,854 626,241 
			 Total 818,932 901,364 1,122,258 1,038,459 1,457,030 
			 (1) It should be noted that these figures refer to the amount spent on statistics and research for the work of the Northern Ireland Office only and not to that spent by Northern Ireland Departments or Agencies.

Draft Planning Policy Statement 14

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library copies of the  (a) advice and  (b) guidance provided to the Department of Regional Development during the preparation of the draft planning policy statement 14.

David Cairns: Advice and guidance was sought and provided to the Department for Regional Development from a wide variety of sources throughout the policy development process of draft planning policy statement 14. The Department published an Issues Paper which elicited a wide range of responses. Copies of the Issues Paper and the responses to it have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. It is also available at:
	http://www.drdni.gov.uk/DRDwww_Consultations/currentConsultation.asp?id=con38

Hospital Infections

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to combat hospital infections in Northern Ireland; and how many people have contracted such infections in each month of 2006, broken down by hospital.

Paul Goggins: Recent steps taken to combat healthcare-associated infections have included the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's "Changing the Culture" action plan on the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections which was published in March 2006. It requires Trusts to hold a hand hygiene campaign this year and produce an annual infection reduction plan. A key message of the action plan is that infection prevention and control is everyone's responsibility. Then on 10 October 2006 I launched the "Ward Sisters Charter". Under the Charter, and among its 10 commitments, "Ward Sisters" have the authority to create a cleanliness culture within their ward environment while they will also encourage patients and visitors to monitor and report on standards of cleanliness.
	The information on how many people have contracted hospital infections is not available by month and hospital. However, there is mandatory reporting of two healthcare-associated infections, namely  Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (both Methicillin Sensitive (MSSA) and Methicillin Resistant (MRSA) isolates), and  Clostridium difficile in those over age 65. These data act as a marker for such infections in general. Data on these two infections are only available up to the end of June 2006 and on a quarterly basis.
	Tables giving the numbers of these two infections, by hospital, have been collated by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (Northern Ireland) and placed in the Library.

Household Statistics

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children were living in households where the only income derived from benefits in each Northern Ireland constituency in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: It is not possible to provide figures at constituency level due to the insufficient sample size available.
	The number of children in Northern Ireland benefit units where at least 90 per cent. of the income is derived from either state benefits or tax credits is:
	
		
			   Number of children 
			 2002-03 73,000 
			 2003-04 79,700 
			 2004-05 68,900 
			  Notes:  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.  2. As with any sample survey the numbers are subject to sampling error.  3. Data was sourced from Family Resources Survey Northern Ireland. The FRS was first run in NI in 2002-03.  4. A benefit unit is defined as a single adult or a couple living as married and any dependent children. There may be more than one benefit unit in a given household, but in such a case, each unit would be assessed separately for benefit purposes.  Source:  Family Resources Survey

Parliament Buildings

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  whether the Northern Ireland Parliament building Stormont is considered a terrorist target;
	(2)  whether training has taken place at the Northern Ireland Parliament building Stormont to prepare for a serious terrorist attack;
	(3)  what advice has been given to the Northern Ireland Parliament building Stormont on protecting the building from a potential terrorist threat;
	(4)  whether the Northern Ireland Parliament building Stormont has directly received any terrorist threat;
	(5)  what resources he has provided to those responsible for security at the Northern Ireland Parliament to deal with terrorist threats;
	(6)  whether a review of security at the Northern Ireland Parliament buildings will be undertaken.

David Hanson: I am advised that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has no current intelligence to indicate the existence of a specific terrorist threat to Parliament buildings, Stormont.
	Advice on the protection of Parliament buildings is provided to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly by PSNI on an ongoing basis and would include matters such the security-related issues surrounding the handling of major events and VIP visits. Following the 24 November incident, there have been discussions between the Speaker and the Chief Constable of the PSNI and it has been agreed that there will be a policing presence at Parliament buildings for the plenary sitting days of the Transitional Assembly.
	All security staff in Parliament buildings are given appropriate training to ensure they deliver the full range of their responsibilities. Resources for the provision of security, including the appointment and training of security personnel, are allocated from the Assembly's annual budget allocation.
	All these matters will be included in the Review of Security within Parliament Buildings, initiated by the Commission for the Transitional Assembly.

School Transport

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2006,  Official Report, column 585W, on school transport, what the locations are of the first 10 schools that are involved in the programme of school safety zones during 2006-07; and which the other 20 schools in year 2007-08 will be.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 7 December 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question pursuant to my answer of 28 November 2006, regarding what the locations are of the first 10 schools that are involved in the 2006-07 programme of school safety zones. You also asked where the other 20 schools in the 2007-08 programme would be. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	I should explain that Roads Service is currently finalising the selection exercise, to confirm the list of 10 schools at which school safety zones to manage speeds at rural schools, where the current speed limit is 60mph, will be installed by the end of this current financial year. Seven schools have already been identified, as follows:
	St. Mary's Secondary School, Brollagh, Belleek;
	Strabane Grammar School;
	St. Malachy's Primary School, Glencull, Ballygawley;
	St. Columba's Primary School, Boleran;
	Diamond Primary School, Ahoghill;
	Carrowreagh Primary School, Finvoy Road, Ballymoney; and
	Carr Primary School, Comber Road, Lisburn
	The three further schools that remain to be identified will be within our Southern Division.
	The list of 20 further schools to be addressed in the 2007-08 financial year will not be finalised until early 2007.

Tenant Debt

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of average past tenant debt was in each Northern Ireland Housing Executive District Office in each year between March 2000 and March 2005.

David Hanson: The following table details the average past tenant debt in each Housing Executive District office in each year between March 2000 and March 2005. These figures include housing benefit overpayments raised before April 2004 as well as rent and rates arrears. It is not possible to separate out these figures.
	
		
			  Northern Ireland housing executive average past tenant debt 
			  £ 
			   As at March: 
			  District  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Belfast 1 576 512 926 1,037 1,216 1,069 
			 Belfast 2 562 793 765 699 1,037 1,065 
			 Belfast 3 516 489 753 756 1,202 1,256 
			 Belfast 4 516 684 770 1,044 1,114 1,146 
			 Belfast 5 527 494 718 731 926 939 
			 Belfast 6 448 644 661 729 1,063 993 
			 Belfast 7 402 357 532 444 557 754 
			
			 Bangor 443 592 658 841 897 905 
			 Newtownards 518 553 609 728 993 682 
			 Castlereagh 543 582 672 773 888 822 
			 Lisburn 456 583 676 787 872 824 
			 Lisburn 3 701 945 770 1,068 1,143 1,021 
			 Downpatrick 458 478 611 728 843 924 
			
			 Banbridge 383 385 472 493 602 671 
			 Newry 480 545 618 837 707 709 
			 Armagh 499 477 503 557 861 599 
			 Lurgan/Brownlow 354 403 479 500 491 392 
			 Portadown 341 456 604 583 979 867 
			 Dungannon 535 501 534 865 757 599 
			 Fermanagh 365 437 537 670 808 617 
			
			 Ballymena 354 363 419 566 655 660 
			 Antrim 398 428 483 559 500 467 
			 Newtownabbey 1 318 399 387 535 531 517 
			 Newtownabbey 2 600 622 711 684 665 695 
			 Carrickfergus 527 581 593 582 713 533 
			 Larne 411 435 551 636 647 671 
			 Ballycastle 256 273 279 611 779 595 
			 Ballymoney 354 346 440 573 685 445 
			 Coleraine 432 534 660 778 873 762 
			
			 Waterloo Place 137 144 167 205 278 411 
			 Waterside 586 590 937 1,086 1,253 1,285 
			 Collon Terrace 344 329 568 677 755 601 
			 Limavady 447 410 396 654 679 823 
			 Magherafelt 282 339 356 547 688 626 
			 Strabane 395 494 581 794 1,154 1,022 
			 Omagh 410 393 466 461 873 884 
			 Cookstown 363 363 323 400 498 421

Tenant Debt

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to recover past tenant debts.

David Hanson: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has in place a number of processes to recover past tenant arrears, these include: tracing procedures where necessary; warning letters; visits to the tenant to discuss a voluntary recovery agreement; and, legal recovery via a magistrates court.
	Unfortunately a number of former tenants do not terminate their tenancy in the prescribed manner and leave the property without any notice or forwarding address being given. In this instance internal and external tracing procedures have to be initiated before any amount can be recovered.
	In August 2006 the Housing Executive sought the services of debt recovery agents from the private sector on a pilot basis. The success of private sector agents in tracing the whereabouts of past tenants and the recovery of debt will be evaluated after a six month period, namely February 2007.

Youth Unemployment

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of young people in Northern Ireland were  (a) unemployed and not in full-time education and  (b) economically inactive and not in full-time education (i) on 31 March in each year since 2001 and (ii) in the most recent month for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey (LFS) can provide the information requested, but only on a quarterly basis. Estimates for the spring quarters (March-May) from 2001 to 2006, along with the latest estimates from July-September 2006 are provided in table 1 as follows.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number and proportion of 16 to 24 year olds, not in full-time education that are unemployed or economically inactive 
			   Unemployed (not in full-time education)  Economically inactive (not in full-time education) 
			   £000  Percentage of all  £000  Percentage of all 
			 March-May 2001 12 6 15 7 
			 March-May 2002 11 5 20 9 
			 March-May 2003 12 6 17 8 
			 March-May 2004 11 5 23 10 
			 March-May 2005 14 6 26 11 
			 March-May 2006 9 4 20 9 
			 July-September 2006 14 6 26 12 
			  Source:  Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey

Benefit Claims

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit claimants there are in Yeovil; how many claimants there were in each year since 1984; and what proportion of the working age population this represented in each year.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of working age incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants in Yeovil constituency 
			  Quarter ending  Number of IB/SDA claimants  Percentage of the working age population 
			 May 1996 2,900 5.2 
			 May 1997 3,100 5.5 
			 May 1998 3,100 5.5 
			 May 1999 3,000 5.3 
			 May 2000 3,120 5.5 
			 May 2001 3,260 5.8 
			 May 2002 3,370 6.0 
			 May 2003 3,410 6.1 
			 May 2004 3,430 6.1 
			 May 2005 3,460 6.2 
			 May 2006 3,550 6.3 
			  Notes: 1. May 1996-May 1999 (inclusive) 5 per cent. sample numbers are uprated to WPLS totals and rounded to the nearest hundred. The figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. May 2000-May 2006 (inclusive) numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 4. These figures should be used as a guide to the current situation only. 5. Percentages rounded to one decimal place.  Sources: DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample and 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study  ONS 2001 census population estimates.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed on a consultancy basis in  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the (i) average and (ii) longest period was for which a consultant was employed in each year.

Anne McGuire: Management information is available from April 2004 for the number of consultancy commissions put in place. The number of staff employed within those commissions is not collected because delivery is assessed against defined outputs, rather than inputs in terms of the number of staff employed. The following figures reflect the total number of new consultancy commissions across the Department:
	
		
			  Agency  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 to end October 
			 Jobcentre Plus 17 11 5 
			 Child Support Agency 6 7 2 
			 The Pension Service 13 9 3 
			 Appeals 0 2 0 
			 Disability and Carers Service 0 3 3 
			 The Rent Service 0 0 0 
			 Corporate centre 81 89 44 
			 Totals 117 121 57

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts have been made in North Yorkshire in the last six months.

Tony McNulty: Data on numbers of ABCs are not collected by the Home Office as they are voluntary agreements and therefore not suitable for central data collection.
	
		
			  Persons( 1)  found guilty or cautioned for drug offences involving cannabis by type of offence, England and Wales, 2002-04 
			  Type of offence  2002  2003  2004 
			 Unlawful production 1,940 2,640 2,480 
			 Unlawful supply 1,450 1,060 880 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 2,460 2,500 2,200 
			 Unlawful possession 78,230 77,500 45,490 
			 Unlawful import or export 600 340 320 
			 (1 )A person who is found guilty of more than one different type of offence is counted against each type of offence under the most severe sentence or order

Banking Services

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to encouraging banks to implement the ATM SafetyPIN system or equivalent; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office with the banking industry is constantly looking at crime prevention initiatives which improve the safety of ATM users.
	The ATM SafetyPIN system is one of the initiatives currently being explored by the ATM Crime Group, a quarterly forum, hosted by APACS (The Association of Payment Clearing Services) which Home Office officials attend. The group has discussed the scheme at its last meeting in November and will be looking at the issue once information on the effectiveness of such schemes becomes available.

CCTV Technology

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with  (a) the police and  (b) the surveillance industry on the introduction of listening technology with CCTV systems; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 5 December 2006
	The Home Office, in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has been undertaking a review of CCTV this year, and has been assessing how it may be used more effectively in reducing and detecting crime. The review's findings are expected to be known within the next few weeks and the strategy will reflect discussions with the police and other stakeholders, and will consider the current and future technologies that may be used in conjunction with CCTV.
	Any technology used with CCTV cameras will have to comply with current legislation before it could be used operationally. This includes a requirement to observe the Information Commissioner's Code of Practice on the use of CCTV.

Community Call for Action

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Community Call for Action will be implemented.

Tony McNulty: In our review, 'Rebalancing the criminal Justice system in favour of the law-abiding majority', published in July 2006, we stated that we would introduce the Community Call for Action by April 2008.

Crime Statistics

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were committed by unlicensed minicab drivers in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of defendants prosecuted and convicted for certain offences relating to operating unlicensed minicabs in England and Wales, 2003 to 2005, can be found in the following table. Other offences not related to the taxi legislation committed by unlicensed minicab drivers cannot be identified as the data is not collected at this level of detail.
	
		
			  Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for certain offences relating to operating unlicensed minicabs, in England and Wales, 2003 to 2005( 1, 2) 
			  Number 
			Prosecuted  Found guilty 
			  Statute  Offence description  2003  2004  2005  2003  2004  2005 
			 Town Police Clauses Act 1847 section 40-68 (except the offence of drunkenness under section 61 ) Offences peculiar to stage carriage and public service vehicles 337 292 283 270 248 233 
			 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 167 Touting for hire car service without PSV operator's licence 259 483 597 194 311 422 
			 Total  596 75 880 464 559 655 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Criminal Records Bureau

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Government have made of the effect of records kept by the Criminal Records Bureau on the ability of those on whom records are kept  (a) to find employment and  (b) to adopt children; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the response given on 29 November 2006,  Official Report, column 770W.

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which research projects have been undertaken on the national DNA database.

Joan Ryan: Data from the national DNA database (NDNAD) has been provided to the following organisations for research purposes.
	 Forensic Science Service:
	10 projects relating to assistance to forensic providers for R&D papers, not specific investigations;
	one project relating to police operations, requiring anonymised NDNAD profiles
	one project relating to database improvements.
	 Home Office:
	two Research Development and Statistics projects relating to match reporting
	one project relating to police operations on behalf of Interpol (this was reported as G8 rather than Interpol in response to an earlier Freedom of Information Act query)
	one project relating to database improvements (this data is now provided as routine management information and no longer classified as research).
	 Police service:
	one project relating to police operations, checking against the NDNAD for named individuals.
	 Merseyside Police:
	one project using exhibits from solved cases.
	 LGC (forensic services provider):
	one project relating to assistance to forensic providers for R&D papers, not specific investigations.
	Requests for research must be approved by the NDNAD Strategy Board. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act lays down that DNA samples and the profiles derived from them can only be used for the purposes of prevention and detection of crime, the investigation of an offence, the conduct of a prosecution or, since April 2005, for the purposes of identifying a deceased person. In accordance with this requirement, the Board would not approve any research unless it had clear operational benefit to the police.

Human Trafficking

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with EU partners on the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 4 December 2006
	I have frequent discussions with EU partners on a range of issues including human trafficking and the Council of Europe Convention. Officials have been gathering evidence from our European partners about best practice in member states in regards to the convention, the impact of provision of support for the victims of trafficking and any impact that provisions including recovery and reflection periods have had. In July last year we issued a questionnaire seeking information about the methods of support in place in other European Union countries. The responses to that questionnaire have been analysed and the results will assist in a decision on signature.

Operation Safeguard

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the contingency plans that are in place to cover police officers who exercise their right not to accept additional gaoler duties under Operation Safeguard.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 5 December 2006
	The contingency plans are a matter for chief officers of police.

Police: Numbers

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of police officers that should be in place in each police force area.

Tony McNulty: It is for each police authority to set the budget, and with their chief constable decide on police officer and police staff numbers in their force
	areas.

Prisons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to build more prisons in each of the next five financial years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Home Secretary announced in the CJS Review on 20 July 2006 that NOMS will deliver a building programme of 8,000 prison places, including a number of new prisons, by 2012. No decisions have yet been taken on the location or timing of the building of these prisons, but the areas of greatest strategic need are the south east, the north west, South Wales and West Midlands.

Prisons

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to build additional prisons in the next five financial years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 5 December 2006
	The Home Secretary announced in the CJS Review on 20 July 2006 that MOMS will deliver a building programme of 8,000 prison places, including a number of new prisons, by 2012. No decisions have yet been taken on the location or timing of the building of these prisons, but the areas of greatest strategic need are the south east, the north west, South Wales and West Midlands.

Probation Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish his Department's research on the merits of contracting-out more of the probation budget.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The advantages of contracting-out more of the probation budget were assessed in the light of efficiencies gained following the contracting out of areas of activity on the custodial side on the National Offender Management Service. Estimated savings were modelled in the range of 3.5 per cent. to 8.5 per cent., in line with the savings delivered after those earlier contracting out exercises. No additional research evidence was used to quantify the potential benefits of contracting-out.

Probation Service

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many targets his Department has set for the National Probation Service; and whether those targets were met in the latest period for which figures were available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The National Probation Service has been set a total of 14 performance targets for 2006-07. The targets cover the key objectives of protecting the public and reducing re-offending whilst reflecting the priority given to work with offenders on matters such as accommodation; education, training and employment; health and drugs and alcohol, as well as addressing the needs of victims.
	Details of the performance of the 42 probation areas in England and Wales against the performance targets and measures set for the service are published on a quarterly basis in National Probation Service performance reports. The reports are public documents and are posted on the NPS website:
	at:http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk/output/page34.asp.
	The latest report (22) shows that the National Probation Service had met or
	exceeded nine of the thirteen performance targets for the first six months of 2006-07. (Data on the regionally set employment targets for minority ethnic staff will not be available until the new year when the census returns are made. This target has been met in each of the previous years since monitoring began and it is envisaged that it will be met again this year.)

Prospect Hostel, Exeter

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of running the Prospect Hostel in Exeter in 2005-06; how many residents there were at the hostel at the most recent date for which figures are available; whether the contract for the hostel in Exeter has been terminated early; and whether his Department has a contract with Langley House for the supply of secure beds.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Since it opened in January 2006, Prospects Exeter project has had 61 referrals and running costs, which includes nine months supported intervention, of £60,000 per month.
	The contract has been terminated and we are currently working towards re-tendering in February/March 2007.
	The National Probation Directorate has had in place a service level agreement (SLA) with Langley House Trust since February 2003. Under the terms of the SLA, places are available across 15 projects, some of which have 24 hour staffing cover, as well as nine enhanced supervision beds.

Road Safety

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers have been prosecuted for offences contrary to sections  (a) 3 and  (b) 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Tony McNulty: Available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform covering offences under s.3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 from 1997 to 2004 (latest available) are given in the table.
	Offences under s.34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 cannot be identified separately from other summary motoring offences. 2005 data will be available in 2007.
	
		
			  Proceedings at magistrates courts for the offence of driving without due care and attention( 1 ) by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Forces  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,554 1,636 1,569 1,403 1,557 1,555 1,034 1,032 
			 Bedfordshire 415 409 285 374 410 417 337 216 
			 Cambridgeshire 974 889 751 757 623 459 432 360 
			 Cheshire 1,835 1,743 1,426 1,309 1,075 997 977 967 
			 Cleveland 332 280 233 240 229 188 250 231 
			 Cumbria 951 950 988 922 729 571 605 586 
			 Derbyshire 1,057 1,091 1,011 941 629 583 558 550 
			 Devon and Cornwall 834 826 854 864 1,031 1,139 1,038 1,263 
			 Dorset 494 487 424 344 397 419 330 245 
			 Durham 393 399 432 556 436 484 585 525 
			 Essex 2,417 2,712 2,455 2,280 1,906 1,518 1,478 1,365 
			 Gloucestershire 746 562 437 425 644 578 569 541 
			 Greater Manchester 4,198 4,321 4,233 3,299 3,227 3,067 2,707 2,378 
			 Hampshire 2,808 2,218 1,816 1,580 1,506 1,553 1,354 1,368 
			 Hertfordshire 605 660 597 696 695 653 752 699 
			 Humberside 529 638 623 500 564 654 767 572 
			 Kent 835 741 555 585 557 582 674 757 
			 Lancashire 1,504 1,144 1,041 1,118 1,095 1,144 1,074 830 
			 Leicestershire 1,689 1,384 1,489 1,470 1,335 1,029 914 893 
			 Lincolnshire 543 364 332 290 311 310 338 399 
			 London, City of 156 156 157 110 99 91 77 79 
			 Merseyside 2,435 1,804 1,491 1,500 1,247 892 1,099 1,105 
			 Metropolitan Police 12,139 10,893 9,766 7,687 6,839 5,991 5,797 5,757 
			 Norfolk 927 924 957 966 1,288 1,070 866 676 
			 Northamptonshire 481 252 285 226 83 40 226 309 
			 Northumbria 1,027 1,151 1,143 1,220 1,072 902 950 862 
			 North Yorkshire 1,305 1,230 1,358 1,239 814 757 778 833 
			 Nottinghamshire 820 885 816 652 506 416 415 390 
			 South Yorkshire 1,116 874 966 632 759 646 603 681 
			 Staffordshire 2,056 1,826 1,503 1,845 1,308 1,328 1,258 1,171 
			 Suffolk 668 589 519 537 523 600 540 580 
			 Surrey 728 708 865 1,015 875 500 510 227 
			 Sussex 1,547 1,400 1,152 903 781 603 469 217 
			 Thames Valley 2,354 2,067 1,839 1,421 1,577 1,582 1,391 1,298 
			 Warwickshire 706 617 525 597 514 468 531 447 
			 West Mercia 1,257 1,174 978 938 1,080 1,122 1,026 610 
			 West Midlands 3,210 3,552 3,254 3,387 2,985 3,034 2,727 2,682 
			 West Yorkshire 2,716 2,489 1,891 1,710 1,459 1,130 987 941 
			 Wiltshire 665 735 393 426 589 600 597 660 
			 Dyfed Powys 683 519 452 395 361 442 396 362 
			 Gwent 387 480 371 372 308 288 267 214 
			 North Wales 564 491 628 532 536 509 672 801 
			 South Wales 2,159 2,235 1,929 1,708 1,617 1,740 1,837 2,196 
			 Total 64,819 60,505 54,789 49,971 46,176 42,651 40,792 38,875 
			 (1) Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s.3  Notes:  1. Offences contrary to s.34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 cannot be identified separately from other summary motoring offences.  2. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is underway to ensure that the magistrates courts' case management system currently being implemented by the Department for Constitutional Affairs reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated.  3. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Sex Offenders Register

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward measures to change the law to allow people convicted of child abduction to be included on the sex offenders register.

Vernon Coaker: We have undertaken a review of the offences listed in schedules 3 and 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, whereby if someone has been convicted of one of those offences, they may be made subject to the notification requirements (commonly referred to as the 'sex offenders register'). As part of the review, we have become aware of concerns that child abduction should be added to the list of relevant offences. We are currently finalising an Order amending the list of offences in schedules 3 and 5 of the 2003 Act which we will lay as soon as possible.

Statements: Disabled People

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have facilities in place to take statements from  (a) partially sighted,  (b) blind and  (c) deaf people.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not maintain information on such facilities which are a matter for the force concerned.

Young Offenders

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders from each local authority area in Wales are held in secure accommodation in  (a) Ashfield,  (b) Barton Moss Secure Unit,  (c) Brindford,  (d) Carlford Unit at Warren Hill,  (e) Dyson Hall,  (f) Eastwood Park,  (g) Feltham,  (h) Hassockfield Secure Training Centre,  (i) Hindley,  (j) Huntercombe,  (k) Lancaster Farms,  (l) Medway and  (m) Oakhill Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following tables give the information requested as at 24 November 2006. The data was provided by the Youth Justice Board.
	
		
			  Young people from Wales held in secure establishments/young offender institutions broken down by youth offending team and establishment name 
			   Bridgend  Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent  Cardiff  Carmarthenshire  Ceredigion  Conwy and Denbighshire 
			 Ashfield 5 8 19 3 — — 
			 Barton Moss Secure Unit — — — — — — 
			 Brinsford 1 — — — — — 
			 Carlford Unit (Warren Hill) — — — — — — 
			 Dyson Hall — — — — — 1 
			 Eastwood Park — — 1 — — — 
			 Feltham — — 1 — — — 
			 Hassockfield STC — — — — — 1 
			 Hindley — — — — — 2 
			 Huntercombe — — — — — — 
			 Lancaster Farms — — — — — — 
			 Medway — — 1 — — — 
			 Oakhill STC — 1 1 — — — 
		
	
	
		
			   Flintshire  Gwynedd and Ynys Mon  Merthyr Tydfil  Monmouthshire and Torfaen  Neath Port Talbot  Newport 
			 Ashfield — — 6 3 3 13 
			 Barton Moss Secure Unit — 1 — — — — 
			 Brinsford 1 2 — — — — 
			 Carlford Unit (Warren Hill) — — — — — — 
			 Dyson Hall — — — — — — 
			 Eastwood Park — — — — — — 
			 Feltham — — — — — — 
			 Hassockfield STC — — — — — — 
			 Hindley — 1 — — — — 
			 Huntercombe — — — — — — 
			 Lancaster Farms 1 2 — — — — 
			 Medway — — — — — — 
			 Oakhill STC — 1 — — — — 
		
	
	
		
			   Pembrokeshire  Powys  Rhondda Cynon Taff  Swansea  Vale of Glamorgan  Wrexham 
			 Ashfield 4 — 9 8 — 1 
			 Barton Moss Secure Unit — — — — — — 
			 Brinsford — — — — 1 — 
			 Carlford Unit (Warren Hill) — — — 1 — — 
			 Dyson Hall — — — — — — 
			 Eastwood Park — — — 1 1 — 
			 Feltham — — — 1 — — 
			 Hassockfield STC — — — — — 1 
			 Hindley — 1 — — — 1 
			 Huntercombe — — — 1 — — 
			 Lancaster Farms — — — — — — 
			 Medway — — — — — — 
			 Oakhill STC — — — — — —

Census

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent discussions her Department has held with the Information Commissioner on the 100-year Census rule; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: This Department has had no discussions with the Information Commissioner on the 100-year closure policy. Census policy is the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics.
	Officials from my Department and The National Archives have met with the Information Commissioner to discuss requests to release parts of the 1911 census.

Freedom of Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many applications were made to the National Archives for Freedom of Information Act disclosures of extracts from the 1911 census for specific addresses in England or Wales in each month between January 2005 and November 2006; and when the National Archives began to include in refusal notices particulars of the complainant's right to appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Bridget Prentice: Detailed as follows is the number of requests under Freedom of Information relating to information from extracts from 1911 census returns from specific addresses.
	
		
			  1911 FOI requests 
			   Number 
			  2005  
			 January 0 
			 February 3 
			 March 11 
			 April 7 
			 May 9 
			 June 11 
			 July 32 
			 August 33 
			 September 19 
			 October 15 
			 November 1 
			 December 7 
			 Total 2005 148 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 23 
			 February 16 
			 March 7 
			 April 11 
			 May 5 
			 June 1 
			 July 5 
			 August 7 
			 September 15 
			 October 16 
			 November 3 
			 December — 
			 Total 2006 109 
		
	
	The National Archives have included particulars of the complainant's right to appeal to the Information Commissioner in refusal notices since January 2005.

Procurement Projects

John Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the 20 largest procurement projects initiated by her Department since May 1997 have been; what the  (a) original budget,  (b) cost to date and  (c) consultancy fees have been; and what the final cost was of each project which has been completed.

Bridget Prentice: Individual project managers, in my Department, are responsible for keeping detailed records on a projects budgeted and actual expenditure including that on consultancy. This information is not held centrally, and the collection and analysis of it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much energy consumed by her Department is acquired from renewable sources.

Bridget Prentice: On 12 June the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs announced new sustainable operations targets for the Government Estate. Government Departments are mandated within the new targets to source at least 10 per cent. of electricity from renewables (such as wind, wave, tidal, solar, thermal and photovoltaics (PV's)) by March 2008. This target is a continuation of an existing operations target, originally set in 2003.
	During 2005-06, 13 per cent. of the energy consumed was from renewable sources. This figure is in excess of the target outlined in The Framework for Sustainable Development on the government Estate, and is set to rise during the forthcoming year.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of schools which closed in Afghanistan as a result of violence or intimidation in each year since January 2002.

Margaret Beckett: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development gave to him and the hon. Member for The Wrekin, Mark Pritchard on 21 November 2006 , Official Report, column 23W.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of Afghan  (a) teachers,  (b) students and  (c) schools officials killed in Afghanistan in each year since January 2002.

Margaret Beckett: Figures published by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in October this year detail the number of fatal attacks against the school community in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006. These figures do not distinguish between teachers, students and schools officials. In 2005 UNICEF records there were five fatal attacks against the school community across Afghanistan. In October this year the figure for 2006 stood at six, with an additional 35 injured. We do not hold figures for previous years.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by international agencies in Afghanistan to counter violence and intimidation against those in the education system; and what role the UK is playing.

Margaret Beckett: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the leading international agency working with the Afghan Government to tackle the serious issue of violence and intimidation against schools and the school community across Afghanistan. Working closely with UNICEF, the Afghan Government is actively countering violence and intimidation against those in the education system and is co-ordinating efforts to restore normal functioning of schools. A special commission on schools protection under the chairmanship of the Minister of Education has been formed to address threats to schools, students and teachers.
	A comprehensive strategy to address these issues has been formulated by the Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF and partner agencies. Key elements of the strategy include: collection of regular and accurate information on security-related incidents; appointment of 34 Provincial Protection Advisors to the Governor's office to review issues relevant to school protection and decisions on mitigating actions to be taken; and placement of Mobile Protection Teams, comprising of 85 protection officers in all 34 provinces proportionate to the number of schools and size of province, to collate information on school protection issues for consideration by Provincial Protection Advisors on a regular basis.
	The United Kingdom, as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, is engaged in improving the security situation in the country as a whole, providing the secure space for the Afghan Government to revive and rehabilitate Afghanistan's education system.

Cluster Munitions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support steps being taken in international fora on restricting the use of cluster munitions.

Kim Howells: We fully recognise the humanitarian concerns about the use of cluster munitions. That is why we led efforts to secure agreement at the recent Review Conference on the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) for experts urgently to address their humanitarian impact. This is an essential preliminary step towards any future negotiations for a new legally binding instrument, and is consistent with the call by UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to use the existing (CCW) framework. As this inclusive approach involves all the major users and producers, we believe it offers the best way forward to reduce the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions. I made a written ministerial statement on this issue on 4 December 2006,  Official Report, columns 1-2WS, explaining our policy in detail.

Cyprus

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the implementation of the Annan plan for Cyprus.

Geoff Hoon: In 2004, the UN plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem was approved by the Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by the Greek Cypriots. Since then, the UK has supported the UN's efforts to restart settlement negotiations. In particular, the UK welcomes the agreement of the two leaders to the proposals put forward by the UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, on 15 November. These are designed to lead to a resumption of comprehensive negotiations. With other members of the P5, we have urged both sides to now show the flexibility and political courage required to bridge the gap between words and deeds. The UK will continue to offer all support as necessary in the coming months.

Cyprus

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received regarding recognition for Turkish Northern Cyprus.

Geoff Hoon: The Government maintain its long-standing policy of non-recognition of the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and has not received representations in this regard. However, we maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriots on all aspects of the situation in Cyprus. We continue to support measures to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community in line with the commitment made by EU Foreign Ministers in 2004. In this context, we welcome the agreement and implementation of a package of EU financial aid worth €259 million. However, we recognise that more needs to be done, particularly in relation to direct trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU. Progress in this area will help bring the Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU and, by reducing economic disparities between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, will make a future settlement easier to achieve.

Kashmir

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the influence of militant groups in  (a) Azad Kashmir and  (b) Indian held Kashmir during and since the earthquake; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK welcomes the efforts by the Pakistani government to prevent infiltration across the Line of Control into Indian-administered Kashmir. However, it is clear from media reporting that, despite these efforts, militant groups continue to operate in both Pakistani and Indian administered Kashmir.

Kosovo

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her Contact Group counterparts on the final status of Kosovo; and if she will make a statement .

Margaret Beckett: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had numerous and varied discussions with Contact Group counterparts on the final status of Kosovo. Contact Group Ministers last met together at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The UK was represented by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe. The Government remain in close touch with other members of the Contact Group during the Kosovo final status process at both official and ministerial level.

Middle East

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the Middle East peace initiative launched by France, Spain and Italy; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) on 28 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 611-12W.

Middle East

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip; what action the Government are taking to promote active engagement by all parties in the peace process; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians and hope it paves the way for further dialogue and a return to negotiations. We remain concerned at the firing of Qassam rockets from Gaza into Israel but welcome President Abbas' call for the firing of these rockets to stop. We must make progress towards a comprehensive peace and two-state solution, and an end to the cycle of violence. This remains at the core of peace and stability in the Middle East.
	We continue to work with both parties as well as our international partners to move the peace process forward. All sides need to use this opportunity to take measures to restore confidence and return to the Roadmap. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made progress in the Middle East one of his top priorities. He has consistently made it clear that moving towards a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, as set out in the Roadmap, is the central plank for achieving peace.
	I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry South (Mr. Cunningham) on 5 December 2006,  Official Report, columns 152-54.

Middle East

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to Israel on the detention of Hamas parliamentarians.

Kim Howells: We have made no recent representations to the Government of Israel on behalf of the detained Palestinian Government and Legislative Council Members. We support the call at the 13/14 November EU General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions for the immediate release of Palestinian Ministers and legislators detained in Israel, a fact that I have repeated on a number of occasions in the House of Commons.

Middle East

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken in Lebanon under UN Resolution 1701  (a) to disarm Hezbollah and  (b) to release the Israeli soldiers held hostage.

Kim Howells: Disarmament of Hizballah is likely only as part of a political process. Talks amongst Lebanese parties began but have broken down. The parties differ on how to form a representative government that can exercise sole authority. We continue to urge resumption of this dialogue.
	The United Nations is negotiating with the parties on several issues including release of captured Israeli soldiers. We hope to see progress soon.

Official Cars

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cars run  (a) by her Department and  (b) by each UK embassy were manufactured (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK operates 21 cars. These are utilised by FCO Services staff in both the Hanslope Park Fleet Operations area and by London Car Service/London External Messengers operating from King Charles street, details are as follows:
	Seven Fords manufactured in Portugal;
	two Rovers manufactured in the UK; and
	12 Vauxhalls manufactured in Germany and Spain.
	Since the acquisition of vehicles in the Overseas Fleet is the responsibility of the individual Posts, and detailed records are not held centrally, it would incur disproportionate cost to collate information requested for cars in every UK Mission overseas. We are, however, aware of 381 Land Rovers operated by FCO Posts overseas. All of these vehicles were manufactured in the UK.

Pakistan

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advance risk assessment was made by the UK High Commission in Pakistan of the  (a) route and  (b) transport mode of the official press party travelling to Pattika during the visit by HRH the Prince of Wales; and whether the UK High Commission hired the vehicles used to convey the press.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 5 December 2006
	The road to Pattika—the only practicable overland route—had been reconnoitred on two occasions by British High Commission officials in advance of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales' visit, and approved. Due to the large number of accompanying press, our High Commission in Islamabad hired additional vehicles and drivers from a local company to convey the party to Pattika. The High Commission had also explored the option of chartering a helicopter to transport the press party. However, the press party rejected this before arriving in Pakistan in preference for the overland route on grounds of cost; the press party reimbursed the High Commission the full cost of hiring these additional vehicles. They were accompanied throughout by British High Commission officials.

Public Appointments

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which public appointments have been made by her Department to former Ministers who have served in the Government since May 1997.

Geoff Hoon: The right hon. Paul Boateng was appointed British High Commissioner to South Africa in May 2005.
	The right hon. Helen Liddell was appointed British High Commissioner to Australia in July 2005.
	My noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean was appointed as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Representative on deportation from the UK, from 1 October to 31 December 2005.

UN Peacekeepers: Criminal Justice

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she is making on bringing United Nations peacekeepers accused of rape or exploitation while on UN service to justice in their home nation; and what reports she has received on the bringing to justice of people accused of such acts in  (a) Haiti and  (b) Liberia.

Kim Howells: The UK continues to support the actions of the UN Secretary-General to implement a 'zero-tolerance' approach to sexual exploitation and abuse in all UN missions. The UN is now focusing on five key areas to ensure that peacekeepers who commit crimes are brought to justice and prevent further abuse:
	a model Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the UN and countries whose troops are participating in peacekeeping operations, ensuring that those countries are fully aware of and can be held to account for their responsibilities in this area;
	establishment of full-time conduct and discipline teams in all UN missions, as well as at the UN Headquarters in New York, dedicated to addressing cases of misconduct, providing advice to missions, ensuring coherent application of UN procedures and providing guidance and advice for peacekeeping personnel;
	ensuring that managers and commanders are made responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that prevents misconduct, are clearly directed to facilitate investigations and are held accountable for their failures in this regard;
	a group of legal experts nominated by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to ensure that individuals are held accountable for criminal offences they have committed, and that there is no impunity for any category of staff, whether civilian or military; and
	a framework for collaboration in investigations between the UN's Office of Internal Oversight and national authorities, to ensure that any evidence collected is admissible in the relevant national jurisdiction of the country of the offender.
	The UK is working closely with the EU and other partners to ensure that work is concluded successfully in all these areas. Our permanent representative to the UN participated in a high level conference on eliminating sexual exploitation and abuse by UN and non-governmental organisation personnel, organised by the Department for Peacekeeping Operations in New York on 4 December 2006.
	We will also be working in the special session of the UN General Assembly's Committee on Peacekeeping Operations later this month to ensure that progress is made towards agreeing the model MOU between the UN and troop-contributing countries.
	On the recent allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in Liberia and Haiti, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jane Holl Lute, stated on 4 December that
	"all credible allegations would be investigated. A peacekeeper found to have committed such acts, at a minimum, would be repatriated, and there would be follow-up with the country regarding disposition of the case".
	We will be monitoring the progress of UN follow-up to these allegations closely.
	In Liberia, the Government, together with national and international partners, launched a campaign on 4 December to combat sexual exploitation and abuse.

Cancelled Operations

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in  (a) Oxfordshire and  (b) Wantage constituency have had operations cancelled at short notice in the last 12 months.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not collect the number of operations cancelled at short notice. The Department collects the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons. A last minute cancellation is a cancellation on the day patients were due to arrive, after the patient has arrived in hospital or on the day of their operation. The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Cancelled operations for non-clinical reasons, quarter three 2005-06 to quarter two 2006-07 
			  Organisation  Number of last minute cancellations for non clinical reasons 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre national health service trust 97 
			 Oxford Radcliffe hospitals NHS trust 940 
			  Source:  Department of Health, QMCO

Dentistry

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) adult and  (b) child patients are registered with a (i) GP practice and (ii) NHS dental practice in the London borough of Bexley; and how many were so registered on (A) 1 January and (B) 1 July in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows numbers of registered general practitioner patients by specified age bands for Bexley Care Trust, as at 30 September 2001 to 2005.
	Prior to the introduction of the new national health service dental contract on 1 April 2006, numbers of patients registered with an NHS dentist were available under the old contractual arrangements. The latest information available is as at 31 March 2006. Data are available as at 31 March and 30 September and have been provided in the following table.
	Under the new dental contractual arrangements, this registration measure no longer exists. Instead, a new measure: number of patients treated within the last 24 months will be available for the 24 months ending 31 March 2006, 30 June 2006 and 30 September 2006. This will be published on 29 November 2006 in the NHS Dental Statistics for England Quarter Two report.
	
		
			  General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS): numbers of patients registered with an NHS dentist, by adult and children, in Bexley Care Trust at the specified date 2001 to 2006 
			   Adults  Children  Total 
			  2001
			 31 March 66,034 31,066 97,100 
			 30 September 66,437 30,719 97,156 
			 
			  2002
			 31 March 66,474 31,203 97,677 
			 30 September 66,029 30,738 96,767 
			 
			  2003
			 31 March 64,740 29,726 94,466 
			 30 September 70,878 32,055 102,933 
			 
			  2004
			 31 March 65,222 29,369 94,591 
			 30 September 62,795 28,949 91,744 
			 
			  2005
			 31 March 63,071 29,292 92,363 
			 30 September 62,065 28,715 90,780 
			 
			  2006
			 31 March 65,198 29,071 94,269 
			  Sources: The Information Centre for health and social care NHS Business Services Authority (BSA)

Home Birth Services

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS trusts have withdrawn home birth services due to staff shortages or lack of capacity in each year since 1997;
	(2)  on what grounds an NHS trust may refuse a request for a home birth; and on how many occasions in each year since 2000 women have had a request for home birth refused on non-health related grounds;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to ensure that the National Service Framework (NSF) Commitment to ensure that every woman is able to choose  (a) the most appropriate place and  (b) the professional to attend her during childbirth based on her wishes and cultural preferences is met by 2009; and if she will make a statement on the NSF Implementation Plan;
	(4)  on how many occasions maternity units have closed temporarily due to safety concerns related to staff shortages in each year since 1997; for what duration each was closed; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  on how many occasions since 2000 home birth services have been withdrawn due to insufficient capacity, broken down by strategic health authority;
	(6)  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what safety grounds a maternity unit is required to close temporarily to admissions.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of national health service trusts that have withdrawn home birth services due to staff shortages or lack of capacity is not collected centrally.
	It is for primary care trusts and NHS maternity care providers to determine the practicalities of providing a home birth service locally. An NHS trust may refuse a request for a home birth on a number of grounds, including high-risk pregnancies and insufficient midwifery staff. Information on the number of occasions women have had a request for home birth refused on non-health related grounds is not collected centrally.
	The Department has put into place a concentrated work programme to implement the maternity standard of the National Service Framework and to ensure that the "Our Health Our Care Our Say" White Paper commitment is met. We are developing a maternity services delivery plan, which will reflect the extensive system reform programme that the NHS is currently undergoing. It will set out a strategy to achieve our commitment to give women clinically appropriate choice over the maternity services they will receive in line with the commitment made in "Our Health, Our care, Our Say".
	Information on the number of occasions maternity units have closed temporarily due to safety concerns related to staff shortages is not collected centrally.
	Information on the number of occasions home birth services have been withdrawn due to insufficient capacity is not collected centrally.
	Maternity units may temporarily close for a number of safety reasons. This can include insufficient midwifery or medical staff, inappropriate experienced skill mix to provide high dependency care, no available beds in the maternity unit, infection in clinical areas as advised by the infection control officer or because the neonatal unit is closed.

Inter-authority Transfers

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inter-authority transfers she has authorised under section 97 of the National Health Services Act 1997.

Andy Burnham: Inter authority transfers (IATs) are transfers of resource and/or cash limits between two NHS organisations and sum to zero overall. These transactions do not therefore affect the overall resource and cash limits provided for the NHS in the year.
	The following table provides the number of inter authority transfers (IATs) authorised for the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06.
	
		
			  Total 
			   Revenue  Capital 
			 2004-05 8,336, 514 
			 2005-06 6,774 215

Methadone

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of methadone programmes in each year since 2002.

Caroline Flint: The pooled treatment budget (PTB) is allocated to drug action teams for the treatment of substance misuse. We are unable to identify how much of this money is allocated to meet methadone programme costs, since these decisions are made locally. Expenditure on drug treatment since 2002, including the PTB, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Expenditure on drug treatment (excluding prison-based treatment) 
			   Central Government funding (pooled treatment budget)  Local funding (local authorities, primary care trusts, police, probation)  
			   Allocation  (£ million)  Percentage increase  Allocation (£ million)  Total allocation  (£ million) 
			 2002-03 191 37 131 322 
			 2003-04 236 23 200 436 
			 2004-05 253 7 204 457 
			 2005-06 300 18 208 508 
			 2006-07 385 28 (1, 2)212 597 
			 (1) Estimated. (2) Local funding increases based on 2 per cent. inflation increase.

Waiting Times

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for  (a) pathology and  (b) radiology appointments was in each of the last eight years.

Andy Burnham: The median waiting times for a first out-patient appointment following General Practitioner referral for the specialties general and chemical pathology and radiology are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Median waiting times from GP referral to 1( st)  out-patient attendance 
			  Median wait (weeks) 
			  Period ending September:  General and chemical pathology  Radiology 
			 1999 5.7 3.1 
			 2000 9.6 3.2 
			 2001 11.0 3.3 
			 2002 10.1 3.4 
			 2003 8.9 3.5 
			 2004 9.1 3.5 
			 2005 7.8 4.0 
			 2006 6.8 3.1 
			  Source: QM08Rs returns from Primary Care Trusts

West Hertfordshire Acute Hospital Trust

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the East of England Ambulance Trust gave assurances to the Board of West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust to provide transport for all category A targets for patients after the closure of the accident and emergency department at Hemel Hempstead hospital; and what effect on patients' travel time is expected after the closure.

Caroline Flint: The decision about the location of accident and emergency departments and any assurances that the Board of West Hertfordshire Hospital National Health Service Trust may have received from the East of England Ambulance Trust is a local matter. The hon. Member may wish to contact Ms Maria Ball, Chair of East of England Ambulance Trust, at:
	Ambulance Headquarters
	Hospital Lane
	Hellesdon
	Norwich
	NR6 SNA

Public Bodies

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of staff of each public body responsible to him were  (a) on fixed term appointments and  (b) agency workers in each of the last three years.

John Healey: The information is as follows:
	
		
			   Fixed term appointments  Agency workers 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			   No.  %  No  %  No  %  No  %  No  %  No  % 
			 HM Treasury 87 7.7 82 7.2 78 6.9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Royal Mint 74 8.5 150 16.3 159 17.0 1 0.1 0 0 0 0 
			 NS and I 20 16.0 14 7.0 12 8.5 4 3.0 12 8.5 9 6.5 
			 ONS 86 1.6 62 1.11 0 — 46 0.86 172 3.09 127 2.51 
			 GAD 10 10.0 7 6.6 5 4.9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 OGC 20 4.0 70 13.0 70 13.0 n/a n/a 47 9.0 49 9.0 
			 OGCBS n/a n/a 2 0.8 3 1.1 n/a n/a 50 — 59 — 
			 VOA 574 9.82 710 11.13 51 0.96 n/a n/a 57 0.89 108 2.0 
		
	
	The Treasury and Government Actuary's Department do not keep central records on the numbers of agency workers and would therefore only be able to provide this information at disproportionate cost.

Volunteering for All Programme

Ben Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Muslim Youth Helpline and Timebank application for a grant from the Office of the Third Sector's Volunteering for All programme was successful in obtaining public funding.

Edward Miliband: Volunteering for All is a Cabinet Office initiative designed to help increase the numbers of people from groups at risk of social exclusion that undertake voluntary activity.
	Following an open competitive grants round, on 18 September 2006 the Cabinet Office announced funding for volunteering opportunities over two years until March 2008 as part of that programme. A bid led by Timebank, with support from the charity Muslim Youth Helpline was one of five successful bids set out in the table.
	The Muslim Youth Helpline/Timebank grant enables both organisations to work together to enable MYH outreach workers, supported by a supply of information about volunteering opportunities and a team in Timebank to:
	The Muslim Youth Helpline/Timebank grant enables both organisations to work together to enable MYH outreach workers, supported by a supply of information about volunteering opportunities and a team in Timebank to:
	Raise positive awareness of volunteering amongst 30,000 Pakistani and Bangladeshi adults in and around the North West;
	Promote the value of intercultural volunteering to young Pakistani and Bangladeshi people in the two targeted English regions;
	Enable 1200 young Pakistani and Bangladeshi people to register an interest in volunteering through the partnership;
	Place 400 young (18-30) Pakistani and Bangladeshi into volunteering opportunities.
	
		
			  Opportunity partner, grant total and purpose table 
			  Opportunity partner  Total grant 2006—March 2008 (£)  Purpose of grant 
			 Mencap 186,288 Will encourage people with learning disabilities to volunteer 
			 Scope 198,288 Will encourage people with physical disabilities to volunteer 
			 Timebanks UK 198,000 Will encourage local communities to set up reciprocal volunteering opportunities, which will allow members of local communities to volunteer for each other and bank volunteer credits that may be redeemed later 
			 Timebank 194,900 Will encourage young Pakistani and Bangladeshi volunteers in London and the North West 
			 Volunteer Reading Help 199,594 Will encourage volunteers to help primary schools through structured reading classes 
			 Total funding announced 977,070

City of York Council

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the annual percentage change in  (a) cash and  (b) real terms in government expenditure on formula grant and special grants to City of York council was in each year since 1997-98.

Phil Woolas: The annual percentage change in  (a) cash and  (b) real terms in formula grant and specific and special grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF) to City of York council in each year since 1997-98 is tabled as follows.
	
		
			  Percentage change over previous years 
			   Cash  2005-06 prices 
			 1997-98 -0.9 -3.7 
			 1998-99 4.3 1.7 
			 1999-2000 7.1 5.0 
			 2000-01 9.2 7.6 
			 2001-02 6.5 4.0 
			 2002-03 6.5 3.3 
			 2003-04 17.2 13.8 
			 2004-05 2.3 -0.5 
			 2005-06 6.4 4.5 
			 2006-07 0.7 -1.7 
			  Notes: 1. The 2005-06 prices figures have been calculated using the latest GDP deflators. 2. Formula grant includes Revenue Support Grant, redistributed business rates and Police Grant. 3. Specific and special grants inside Aggregate External Finance are those revenue grants paid for councils' core services, excluding funding for local authorities' housing management.  Sources: Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) and Revenue Account (RA) Budget returns and HM Treasury GDP deflators.

Homeless Households

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless households with dependent children there have been in each year since 2004 in each form of temporary accommodation, broken down by Government region.

Yvette Cooper: Information reported each quarter by local authorities about their activities under homelessness legislation includes the number of households in temporary accommodation on the last day of the quarter, and, since 2002, those that include dependent children and/or expectant mothers.
	A table presenting information on the number of households with dependent children and/or expectant mothers in each main form of temporary accommodation since 2003-04 is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Households with dependent children and/or an expectant mother in temporary accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation( 1) : by Government office region 
			  Snapshot as at 31 March 
			   Total  Bed and breakfast hotels  Hostels inc. women's refuges  Local authority or registered social landlord (LA/RSL) stock  Leased from the private sector by an LA or RSL  Other private sector accommodation( 2) 
			  2003-04   
			 North East 350 20 70 240 20 10 
			 North West 1,450 70 400 720 70 190 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,290 50 220 650 340 40 
			 East Midlands 2,090 80 350 1,470 140 50 
			 West Midlands 1,420 80 300 670 330 40 
			 East of England 5,650 70 880 3,220 1,030 470 
			 London 44,620 200 2,700 7,410 29,910 4,390 
			 South East 9,510 140 940 4,390 3,180 880 
			 South West 4,190 110 430 1,350 1,380 910 
			 England 70,580 820 6,280 20,120 36,400 6,980 
			
			  2004-05( 3)   
			 North East 520 50 100 320 30 10 
			 North West 1,900 140 480 920 80 280 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,110 90 230 510 230 40 
			 East Midlands 2,250 90 360 1,590 180 40 
			 West Midlands 1,750 120 320 770 490 60 
			 East of England 5,480 100 820 2,730 1,430 380 
			 London 46,360 210 2,360 7,000 31,830 4,980 
			 South East 8,520 180 830 3,300 3,230 990 
			 South West 4,780 190 350 1,480 1,670 1,090 
			 England 72,670 1,180 5,840 18,610 39,180 7,890 
			
			  2005-06( 3)   
			 North East 430 30 60 310 30 10 
			 North West 1,480 80 390 630 60 310 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,290 90 190 620 350 30 
			 East Midlands 1,470 80 260 920 190 30 
			 West Midlands 1,500 110 220 670 90 410 
			 East of England 4,640 90 730 2,000 1,540 290 
			 London 48,360 280 2,200 6,650 34,550 4,690 
			 South East 8,040 140 620 3,090 3,310 890 
			 South West 4,340 130 310 1,180 1,840 900 
			 England 71,560 1,020 4,960 16,080 41,960 7,550 
			 (1) Households in accommodation arranged by local authorities pending enquiries or after being accepted as homeless under the 1996 Act. (2) Including private landlord. From 2002 Q1 onwards, some self-contained accommodation in annex-style units previously recorded under B and B now more appropriately attributed to private sector accommodation. (3) Provisional data.  Note: Totals may not equal the sum of components because of rounding.  Source: DCLG P1E Homelessness returns (quarterly) 
		
	
	The latest figures show that 92 per cent. of all families with dependent children and/or an expectant mother in temporary accommodation are living in self-contained properties, with their own front door.
	Since 2004, local authorities have not been permitted to house families in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks.

Housing

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications there are on housing waiting lists in  (a) Hemsworth constituency,  (b) the Wakefield District and  (c) each local authority in the Government Office Region of Yorkshire and the Humber.

Yvette Cooper: Information is not collected at the constituency or district level, only at local authority level.
	The number of households on the waiting list for social housing in each local authority in Yorkshire and the Humber, as at 1 April 2006, is tabled as follows:
	
		
			  As at 1 April 2006 
			  Local authority name  Number 
			 Barnsley 6,694 
			 Bradford 41,685 
			 Calderdale 7,489 
			 Craven 739 
			 Doncaster 16,760 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire UA 8,417 
			 Hambleton 1,162 
			 Harrogate 2,497 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of UA 6,890 
			 Kirklees 6,964 
			 Leeds 23,851 
			 North East Lincolnshire UA 4,181 
			 North Lincolnshire UA 2,948 
			 Richmondshire 1,380 
			 Rotherham 15,881 
			 Ryedale 1,029 
			 Scarborough 4,382 
			 Selby 1,788 
			 Sheffield 80,385 
			 Wakefield 10,777 
			 York UA 1,600 
			  Source: Communities and Local Government's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) return 
		
	
	Local authorities (LAs) in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where the local authority maintains a common waiting list with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in their district, the list will also include households placed on the list by RSLs. Communities and Local Government does not collect information on households on individual RSL waiting lists.
	Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.
	LAs adopt different approaches to keeping their waiting list up-to-date: some do so on a regular annual basis; while others do so less frequently or on a rolling basis. As a result, comparisons between LAs should be made with caution.

Housing

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable housing units  (a) built and  (b) procured through the Housing Corporation National Affordable Housing Programme were (i) mixed funded social rented housing, (ii) temporary social rented housing, (iii) homebuy general market purchase, (iv) homebuy general new build, (v) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (vi) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (vii) re-improvements to rented RSL stock, (viii) works only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (ix) intermediate rent for key workers, (x) homebuy market purchase for key workers and (xi) starter home initiative in Yorkshire and Humberside in 2005-06; and how much was spent on each category in that year.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows completions and expenditure through the Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Programme, for units newly built or procured for categories (i) to (viii).
	The Key Worker Living programme was limited to London and the wider South East, so there are no completions or investment in categories (ix) to (xi) in the Yorkshire and Humberside region through this programme.
	Funding and completions are not directly comparable, as funding will relate to projects running, not necessarily units completed, in any one year.
	
		
			  Yorkshire and Humberside—completions and funding in 2005-06 and allocations 2006-08 
			2005-06  2006-08 
			New Build (Units)  Procured (Units)  Expenditure (£ million)  Allocation (Units)  Allocation (£ million) 
			 (i) Mixed funded Social Rent 917 117 47.3 1,924 104.2 
			 (ii) Temporary Social Housing 0 74 1.2 56 0.4 
			 (iii) Homebuy market purchase 0 49 1.6 n/a n/a 
			 (iv) Homebuy New Build 8 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 (v) Mixed-funded Low Cost Home Ownership 213 0 3.9 937 24.9 
			 (vi) Miscellaneous Works n/a n/a 0.3 n/a 0.7 
			 (vii) Re-improvements to rented RSL stock n/a n/a 3.0 n/a n/a 
			 (viii) Works only re-hab of RSL stock for sale n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a 
			  Source: Housing Corporation 
		
	
	Miscellaneous works, re-improvements to rented RSL stock and works only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale are not recorded as completed dwellings as they may have previously received funding and would therefore be double counted.
	Figures for 2006-08 are based on the Housing Corporation's Allocation Statement for the Yorkshire and Humberside following approval of their 2006-08 Affordable Housing Programme.

Housing

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many long-term empty properties have been recorded in Bristol in each year since 1990.

Yvette Cooper: Information is not available for long term empty properties prior to 2002. The following number of total vacancies and long-term vacancies (from 2002) for Bristol are presented in the following table.
	
		
			   Snap-shot date  Total vacancies  Vacancies over 6 months 
			 1990 1 April 5,013 n/a 
			 1991 1 April 5,731 n/a 
			 1992 1 April 6,248 n/a 
			 1993 1 April n/a n/a 
			 1994 1 April n/a n/a 
			 1995 1 April 6,492 n/a 
			 1996 1 April 6,447 n/a 
			 1997 1 April 6,373 n/a 
			 1998 1 April 5,642 n/a 
			 1999 1 April 5,688 n/a 
			 2000 1 April 6,661 n/a 
			 2001 1 April 6,168 n/a 
			 2002 1 November 6,711 3,378 
			 2003 3 November 7,334 3,926 
			 2004 1 November 6,242 3,024 
			 2005 10 October 5,614 2,287 
			 n/a = Not available.  Source:  1990-2001 from the HSSA 2002-2005 from the CTB1

Housing

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many long-term empty properties were recorded in each local authority in the South West in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: The following empty properties were reported by each local authority in the South West as at October 2005:
	
		
			  Local authority  Number of properties empty over six months 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 509 
			 Bournemouth UA 1,007 
			 Bristol 2,287 
			 Caradon 523 
			 Carrick 457 
			 Cheltenham 563 
			 Christchurch 204 
			 Cotswold 361 
			 East Devon 410 
			 East Dorset 220 
			 Exeter 237 
			 Forest of Dean 336 
			 Gloucester 523 
			 Isles of Scilly n/a 
			 Kennet 458 
			 Kerrier 506 
			 Mendip 461 
			 Mid Devon 425 
			 North Cornwall 336 
			 North Devon 440 
			 North Dorset 299 
			 North Somerset UA 536 
			 North Wiltshire 1,046 
			 Penwith 250 
			 Plymouth UA 1,099 
			 Poole UA 578 
			 Purbeck 78 
			 Restormel 343 
			 Salisbury 11 
			 Sedgemoor 989 
			 South Gloucestershire UA 452 
			 South Hams 411 
			 South Somerset 787 
			 Stroud 442 
			 Swindon UA 1,178 
			 Taunton Deane 331 
			 Teignbridge 543 
			 Tewkesbury 229 
			 Torbay UA 1,344 
			 Torridge 233 
			 West Devon 324 
			 West Dorset 422 
			 West Somerset 248 
			 West Wiltshire 426 
			 Weymouth and Portland 384 
			 n/a = Not available  Source:  Council Tax Base 1(CTB1) returns

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund grant for each local authority in England was for each year between 2003-04 and 2006-07; what grant is planned for each authority in 2007-08; and what the percentage increase each year is in each case.

Phil Woolas: Between 2003 to 2008, 91 local authority districts are eligible to receive Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources. Allocations for each year between 2003-04 to 2007-08 is provided in the following table, together with the percentage change between each year.
	
		
			  Local authority  NRF allocation 2003-04 (£ million)  NRF allocation 2004-05 (£ million)  % difference -/+  NRF allocation 2005-06  (£ million)  % difference  -/+  NRF allocation 2006-07  (£ million)  % difference -/+  NRF allocation 2007-08  (£ million)  % difference -/+ 
			 Allerdale 0.855 0.855 — 0.855 — 0.570 -33.33 0.285 -50.00 
			 Ashfield 0.964 0.964 — 0.964 — 0.642 -33.33 0.321 -50.00 
			 Barking and Dagenham 1.633 1.633 — 1.633 — 1.633 — 1.717 5.16 
			 Barnet(1) — — — — — 1.000 — 1.000 — 
			 Barnsley 5.444 5.444 — 5.444 — 5.444 — 5.444 — 
			 Barrow-in-Furness 1.838 1.838 — 1.838 — 1.838 — 1.838 — 
			 Birmingham 22.043 22.043 — 22.043 — 32.266 46.38 37.624 16.60 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 4.335 4.335 — 4.335 — 3.901 -10.00 3.602 -7.68 
			 Blackpool 3.008 3.008 — 3.008 — 3.193 6.16 3.723 16.60 
			 Bolsover 1.469 1.886 28.43 2.513 33.21 2.262 -10.00 2.010 -11.11 
			 Bolton 5.426 5.426 — 5.426 — 5.426 — 5.658 4.29 
			 Bradford 9.812 9.812 — 9.812 — 12.613 28.54 14.707 16.60 
			 Brent 2.279 2.279 — 2.279 — 2.279 — 2.279 — 
			 Brighton and Hove 1.369 1.369 — 1.369 — 1.801 31.60 2.101 16.60 
			 Bristol 3.565 4.579 28.43 6.099 33.21 6.099 — 6.099 — 
			 Burnley 1.273 1.273 — 1.273 — 1.822 43.07 2.124 16.60 
			 Camden 4.219 5.418 28.43 7.217 33.21 6.496 -10.00 5.774 -11.11 
			 Coventry 5.290 5.290 — 5.290 — 5.290 — 5.290 — 
			 Croydon 0.581 0.581 — 0.581 — 1.000 72.04 1.000 — 
			 Derby 3.250 3.250 — 3.250 — 3.689 13.50 4.302 16.60 
			 Derwentside 1.482 1.904 28.43 2.536 33.21 2.282 -10.00 2.029 -11.11 
			 Doncaster 8.790 8.790 — 8.790 — 8.699 -1.03 8.739 0.45 
			 Dudley 1.521 1.521 — 1.521 — 1.577 3.72 1.839 16.60 
			 Ealing 0.917 0.917 — 0.917 — 1.187 29.47 1.384 16.60 
			 Easington 4.433 5.694 28.43 7.584 33.21 6.826 -10.00 6.068 -11.11 
			 Enfield 1.860 1.860 — 1.860 — 1.674 -10.00 1.488 -11.11 
			 Gateshead 4.643 4.643 — 4.643 — 4.643 — 5.151 10.94 
			 Great Yarmouth 1.987 1.987 — 1.987 — 1.938 -2.50 1.946 0.45 
			 Greenwich 3.881 4.985 28.43 6.640 33.21 5.976 -10.00 5.312 -11.11 
			 Hackney 11.765 15.111 28.43 20.128 33.21 18.116 -10.00 16.103 -11.11 
			 Halton 3.928 5.045 28.43 6.721 33.21 6.049 -10.00 5.377 -11.11 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1.033 1.033 — 1.033 — 1.000 -3.22 1.000 — 
			 Haringey 5.335 6.852 28.43 9.127 33.21 8.214 -10.00 7.863 -4.28 
			 Hartlepool 3.138 4.030 28.43 5.368 33.21 4.831 -10.00 4.375 9.43 
			 Hastings 1.375 1.375 — 1.375 — 1.574 14.47 1.836 16.60 
			 Hyndburn 1.294 1.294 — 1.294 — 0.862 -33.33 0.431 -50.00 
			 Islington 6.270 8.053 28.43 10.727 33.21 9.654 -10.00 8.581 -11.11 
			 Kensington and Chelsea(2) 1.081 1.081 — 1.081 — — — — — 
			 Kerrier 1.610 1.610 — 1.610 — 1.074 -33.33 0.537 -50.00 
			 Kingston upon Hull 7.507 9.642 28.43 12.844 33.21 12.844 — 12.844 — 
			 Kirklees 2.992 2.992 — 2.992 — 4.183 39.82 4.878 16.60 
			 Knowsley 7.391 9.492 28.43 12.644 33.21 11.380 -10.00 10.116 -11.11 
			 Lambeth 2.422 3.110 28.43 4.143 33.21 4.143 — 4.143 — 
			 Leeds 8.396 8.396 — 8.396 — 12.811 52.60 14.939 16.60 
			 Leicester 8.377 8.377 — 8.377 — 7.693 -8.17 7.728 0.45 
			 Lewisham 2.453 2.453 — 2.453 — 2.207 -10.00 1.962 -11.11 
			 Lincoln 0.400 0.400 — 0.400 — 0.267 -33.33 0.133 -50.00 
			 Liverpool 20.133 25.857 28.43 34.443 33.21 30.999 -10.00 31.069 0.23 
			 Luton(2) 1.510 1.510 — 1.510 — — — — — 
			 Manchester 20.595 26.451 28.43 35.234 33.21 31.711 -10.00 29.881 -5.77 
			 Mansfield 2.299 2.299 — 2.299 — 2.188 -4.83 2.198 0.45 
			 Middlesbrough 5.249 6.742 28.43 8.981 33.21 8.360 -6.91 8.398 0.45 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 6.843 6.843 — 6.843 — 7.129 4.18 8.312 16.60 
			 Newham 13.332 17.123 28.43 22.808 33.21 20.528 -10.00 18.247 -11.11 
			 North East Lincolnshire(1) — — — — — 4.559 — 4.579 0.45 
			 North Tyneside 3.074 3.074 — 3.074 — 2.766 -10.00 2.459 -11.11 
			 Norwich(1) — — — — — 1.959 — 1.968 0.45 
			 Nottingham 9.246 11.875 28.43 15.818 33.21 14.236 -10.00 14.177 -0.41 
			 Oldham 4.674 4.674 — 4.674 — 4.674 — 5.323 13.88 
			 Pendle 1.961 1.961 — 1.961 — 1.307 -33.33 0.654 -50.00 
			 Penwith 0.829 0.829 — 0.829 — 1.000 20.61 1.000 — 
			 Plymouth 2.114 2.114 — 2.114 — 2.423 14.62 2.826 16.60 
			 Portsmouth(2) 0.957 0.957 — 0.957 — — — — — 
			 Preston 2.520 2.520 — 2.520 — 2.520 — 2.520 — 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 3.472 3.472 — 3.472 — 3.397 -2.17 3.412 0.45 
			 Rochdale 4.878 4.878 — 4.878 — 4.878 — 5.509 12.93 
			 Rotherham 3.669 3.669 — 3.669 — 3.496 -4.71 3.512 0.45 
			 Salford 5.441 6.988 28.43 9.308 33.21 9.308 — 9.308 — 
			 Sandwell 8.051 10.340 28.43 13.773 33.21 12.396 -10.00 11.018 -11.11 
			 Sedgefield 1.139 1.139 — 1.139 — 1.025 -10.00 1.000 -2.44 
			 Sefton 5.631 5.631 — 5.63 — 5.631 — 5.631 — 
			 Sheffield 9.581 9.581 — 9.581 — 9.899 3.33 11.543 16.60 
			 South Tyneside 5.382 6.912 28.43 9.208 33.21 8.287 -10.00 7.366 -11.11 
			 Southampton(2) 0.862 0.862 — 0.862 — — — — — 
			 Southwark 7.912 10.162 28.43 13.537 33.21 12.183 -10.00 10.829 -11.11 
			 St. Helens 3.873 3.873 — 3.873 — 3.873 — 4.359 12.55 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 3.852 3.852 — 3.852 — 3.684 -4.36 3.701 0.45 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 4.034 4.034 — 4.034 — 6.150 52.46 7.171 16.60 
			 Sunderland 7.164 7.164 — 7.164 — 7.164 — 7.655 6.86 
			 Tameside 1.340 1.340 — 1.340 — 2.324 73.38 2.709 16.60 
			 Tower Hamlets 10.624 13.644 28.43 18.175 33.21 16.358 -10.00 14.540 -11.11 
			 Wakefield 4.439 4.439 — 4.439 — 4.439 — 4.449 0.23 
			 Walsall 7.122 7.122 — 7.122 — 6.410 -10.00 5.698 -11.11 
			 Waltham Forest 2.553 2.553 — 2.553 — 2.298 -10.00 2.043 -11.11 
			 Wandsworth(2) 0.400 0.400 — 0.400 — — — — — 
			 Wansbeck 1.379 1.772 28.43 2.360 33.21 2.124 -10.00 1.888 -11.11 
			 Wear Valley 1.706 2.191 28.43 2.919 33.21 2.627 -10.00 2.335 -11.11 
			 Westminster 1.497 1.497 — 1.497 — 3.055 104.06 3.563 16.60 
			 Wigan 2.725 2.725 — 2.725 — 4.096 50.28 4.776 16.60 
			 Wirral 5.075 5.075 — 5.075 — 6.642 30.86 7.744 16.60 
			 Wolverhampton 5.928 5.928 — 5.928 — 5.928 — 5.928 — 
			 (1 )New NRF area from April 2006. (2) Not eligible to receive NRF after March 2006.